Fate gave the word - the arrow sped,
And pierc'd my darling's heart,
And with him all the joys are fled
Life can to me impart.
By cruel hands the sapling drops,
In dust dishonor'd laid:
So fell the pride of all my hopes,
My age's future shade.

The mother linnet in the brake
Bewails her ravish'd young:
So I for my lost darling's sake
Lament the live-day long.
Death, oft I've fear'd thy fatal blow!
Now fond I bare my breast!
O, do thou kindly lay me low,
With him I love at rest!

Fate gave the word - the arrow sped,
And pierced my darling's heart,
And with him all the joys are fled
Life can to me impart.
By cruel hands the sapling drops,
In dust dishonoured laid:
So fell the pride of all my hopes,
My age's future shade.

The mother linnet in the brake (thicket)
Bewails her ravished young:
So I for my lost darling's sake
Lament the live-day long.
Death, often I have feared your fatal blow!
Now fond I bare my breast!
O, do you kindly lay me low,
With him I love at rest!