A Sunny shaft did I behold,
       &nbspFrom sky to earth it slanted:
And poised therein a bird so bold—
       &nbspSweet bird, thou wert enchanted!

He sank, he rose, he twinkled, he trolled
       &nbspWithin that shaft of sunny mist;
His eyes of fire, his beak of gold,
       &nbspAll else of amethyst!

And thus he sang: 'Adieu! adieu!
Love's dreams prove seldom true.
The blossoms they make no delay:
The sparkling dew-drops will not stay.
       &nbspSweet month of May,
       &nbsp       &nbspWe must away;
       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspFar, far away!
       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspTo-day! to-day!'