Phyllis

Phyllis, ah, Phyllis, my life is a gray day,

Few are my years, but my griefs are not few,

Ever to youth should each day be a May-day,

Warm wind and rose-breath and diamonded dew—

Phyllis, ah, Phyllis, my life is a gray day.

Oh for the sunlight that shines on a May-day!

Only the cloud hangeth over my life.

Love that should bring me youth's happiest heyday

Brings me but seasons of sorrow and strife;

Phyllis, ah, Phyllis, my life is a gray day.

Sunshine or shadow, or gold day or gray day,

Life must be lived as our destinies rule;

Leisure or labor or work day or play day—

Feasts for the famous and fun for the fool;

Phyllis, ah, Phyllis, my life is a gray day.