Children of the future age
Reading this indignant page
Know that in a former time
Love, sweet love, was thought a crime.
In the age of gold
Free from winter's cold
Youth and maiden bright
To the holy light
Naked in the sunny beams delight.
Once a youthful pair
Filled with softest care
Met in garden bright
Where the holy light
Had just removed the curtains of the night.
Then, in rising day
On the grass they play
Parents were afar
Strangers came not near
And the maiden soon forgot her fear.
Tired with kisses sweet
They agree to meet
When the silent sleep
Waves o'er heaven's deep
And the weary tired wanderers weep.
To her father white
Came the maiden bright
But his loving look
Like the holy book
All her tender limbs with terror shook.
"Ona, pale and weak
To thy father speak
Oh the trembling fear
Oh the dismal care
That shakes the blossoms of my hoary hair!
