Shepherds' Song

"All alas and welladay," 
(Shepherds say) 
Stepping with a stealthy pace 
Past the place 
Where the idle lilies blow! 
"Here Diana dreaming lay 
(Snow in snow!) 
Lay a-dreaming on a day 
Long ago." 

Few the prayers the shepherds say 
(Welladay!) 
Now Diana ends her chase, 
Giving place 
To a maid with softer eyes. 
Colder breast 
(Mystery of mysteries!) 
For her greatest gift, and best — 
Giving rest. 

"Now we thole," the shepherds say, 
"Shorter night and longer day. 
Shorter days 
Sweeter were: when in the nights 
Came a sudden press of lights: 
Came the shining of a face 
Far away. 
And we gave Diana praise 
For the passing of her face. 

"All alas and welladay!" 
(Shepherds say) 
"Maiden rule we still obey, 
Yet we loved the first maid best. 
Terror-prest 
Though we fled by heme and hollow, 
Fearing angry shafts to follow, 
Dead, we knew that we should rest 
On her breast." 

"All alas and welladay," 
(Shepherds say) 
"Earth was green that now is gray: 
Auster dared not any day 
Beat or blow, 
When mid lilies Dian lay 
(Snow in snow!) 
Lay a-dreaming on a day 
Long ago."