weth near;
Mirth and song now belong
To the year.

Birdies wooing, ring doves cooing
From each budding bough.
All things mating, no one waiting,
Love is calling now.

Larks are singing, swallows winging
North, their rapid flight.
Winter's ending, spring is sending
Warmth and love and light.

Virginia--
What strange emotions fill this breast?
What flitting shadows of unrest
Disturb me so?
I have not ceased to long and dream
Since I was lifted o'er that stream
By Paolo.

In strong arms' clasp what can there be
To thrill the heart in fancy free
And leave behind
A joy that is akin to pain,
A longing to be held again
By arms entwined?

[Enter Cupid during last words.]

Cupid--
Good morning to you all, a fairy ring
Delights my heart; I'll wait and hear you sing.

Virginia--
We're glad you're back, you should avoid the snows
Dear careless boy; some day you'll freeze your toes.

[Cupid fitting arrow to his bow--]

Virginia--
No, don't you shoot your arrow; 'tisn't fair!
You've learned too much already, spare oh spare
My heart from further pain you cruel boy;
What balm have you for wounds that peace destroy?

Cupid--
Forbid the thought of Cupid causing pain;
Nought else I seek but bringing joy again.
I have a secret message to unfold
To you, the sweetest lover ever told.
I'll whisper softly in your dainty ear,
So soft that even fairies will not hear.

[Cupid whispers his message.]

Virginia--
Oh Cupid! (C.) How you blush, your burning cheek
Tells plainer still than even lips can speak
Of tenderness for Paolo that glows
Within your heart, and now quite overflows.

Blushing

Fairies--
Blush of the early morning
Heralds the coming day,
Heralds the beam of sunshine
Chasing the dark away.

_Refrain_--
Blushing, blushing,
Roses of deepest dye;
Flushing, flushing
Red as the sunlit sky.

Blushes those cheeks suffusing,
Cupid's enchantments prove;
Prove that the little archer
Whispers to you of love.

[Enter Paolo.]

Fairies--
Paolo here at last!
Where has he been in hiding?
He ought to be ashamed,
But we must not be chiding.

Paolo--
I'm glad to find you all so bright and gay,
Please, fairies, sing before you run away.

Fairy--
We've played so long, the hours of morn will pass
E're we can sip the dewdrops from the grass
And glean the jew