Leafy Autumn—time entrancing!
Would that thou couldst ever shine,
On the glad earth's bosom dancing,
With thy children—Love and Wine!

Welcome to the golden weather,
Lovely Cloris, nymph divine,
Which invites us out to gather
The blushing honours of the vine!

Take a knife and basket fair,
And the shortest robe you wear;
Come, then, where the vine-twigs grow,
And the vintage treasures glow!

Bare and widowed, see the vines,
Stand of all their clusters reft!—
Every eye approving shines,
Every heart applauds the theft.

See the vineyard's trampled pride,
How it yields the ruby tide!—
How its crimson drops impart
Joy to every eye and heart!

See the frolic shepherd swain,
With his face all crimson dyed,
Laughing flies across the plain,
From his cottage maiden's side.

Without Bacchus Love doth languish,
Bacchus soothes the lover's anguish,
Softly kindling in his face,
More of ardour, more of grace!

Even the rustic maiden feels
All her coy disdain depart,
When the joyous poison steals
Softly through her melting heart!

To drink is joy, to drink is life;
Wine drowns the pangs of mental strife;
With Bacchus comes the mind's relief,
From Bacchus flies the demon grief!

Come and round your silken hair,
Let the tender vine leaves tremble;
Let your hands a liquor bear,
Which the ruby doth resemble!

Let us follow, lovely Cloris—
Let us join the Bacchic chorus,
And the God of joy and peace
Will our mutual flame inerease!

Leafy Autumn—time entrancing!
Would that thou couldst ever shine,
On the glad earth's bosom dancing,
With thy children—Love and Wine!