Perdita

The sea coast of Bohemia   
Is pleasant to the view   
When singing larks spring from the grass   
To fade into the blue,   
And all the hawthorn hedges break
In wreaths of purest snow,   
And yellow daffodils are out,   
And roses half in blow.   

The sea-coast of Bohemia   
Is sad as sad can be,
The prince has ta’en our flower of maids   
Across the violet sea;   
Our Perdita has gone with him,   
No more we dance the round   
Upon the green in joyous play,
Or wake the tabor’s sound.   

The sea-coast of Bohemia   
Has many wonders seen,   
The shepherd lass wed with a king,   
The shepherd with a queen;
But such a wonder as my love   
Was never seen before,   
It is my joy and sorrow now   
To love her evermore.   

The sea-coast of Bohemia
Is haunted by a light   
Of memory fair of lady’s eyes,   
And fame of gallant knight;   
The princes seek its charmèd strand,   
But ah, it was our knell
When o’er the sea our Perdita   
Went with young Florizel.   

The sea-coast of Bohemia   
Is not my resting-place,   
For with her waned from out the day
A beauty and a grace:   
O had I kissed her on the lips   
I would no longer weep,   
But live by that until the day   
I fall to shade and sleep.