Classic Poem

Here they trysted, here they strayed,
In the leafage dewy and boon,
Many a man and many a maid,
And the morn was merry June.
" Death is fleet, Life is sweet,"
Sang the blackbird in the may;
And the hour with flying feet,
While they dreamed, was yesterday.

Many a maid and many a man
Found the leafage close and boon;
Many a destiny began —
O, the morn was merry June!
Dead and gone, dead and gone,
(Hark the blackbird in the may!)
Life and Death went hurrying on,
Cheek on cheek — and where were they?

Dust on dust engendering dust
In the leafage fresh and boon,
Man and maid fulfil their trust —
Still the morn turns merry June.
Mother Life, Father Death,
(O, the blackbird in the may!)
Each the other's breath for breath,
Fleet the times of the world away.