Alas!

"Goodbye! Alas! we cannot stay;
the day is done, and we must fly."
Thus said the sun and clouds of day
unto the moon and starry sky.
"Would we were of nocturnal class
to dance the night away! Alas!"

"Farewell, goodnight!" then said the moon,
"Across the globe I'll vigil keep.
Cry not! for dawn is coming soon,
then you'll arise, so do not weep;
quite soon you'll 'cross the sky take flight,
but until then, farewell, goodnight!"

"Away, we fly!" the clouds and sun
reluctantly made to depart
(for night had only just begun,
and still, in fact, had yet to start),
then heaved a heavy-hearted sigh,
and with their last strains called: "Goodbye!"

"And now, we dance!" the moon sang out,
"The night is ours for romp and play.
We have the better, there's no doubt,
over the sun and clouds of day.
Oh, would they could join in our dance,
delight in all the night's Romance!"

And then, at last! the sun draws nigh
and calls out to the night, "Prithee,
may we rise with you e'er so high
and dance-- 'til you must fly-- with thee?"
"The time to dance," said Moon, "has passed.
Would you had 'rived sooner-- alas!"



-D.B.