Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1821.pdf/12

11 Literary Gazette, 24th November, 1821, Page 749

STANZAS.

When should lovers breathe their vows?
 * When should ladies hear them?

When the dew is on the boughs,
 * When none else are near them;

When the moon shines cold and pale,
 * When the birds are sleeping,

When no voice is on the gale,
 * When the rose is weeping;

When the stars are bright on high,
 * Like hopes in young Love's dreaming,

And glancing round the light clouds fly,
 * Like soft fears to shade their beaming.

The fairest smiles are those that live
 * On the brow by starlight wreathing;

And the lips their richest incense give
 * When the sigh is at midnight breathing.

Oh, softest is the cheek's love-ray
 * When seen by moonlight hours,

Other roses seek the day,
 * But blushes are night flowers.

Oh, when the moon and stars are bright,
 * When the dew-drops glisten,

Then their vows should lovers plight,
 * Then should ladies listen.