Ye Shepherds of This Pleasant Vale
Ludwig van Beethoven, William Hamilton
Ye shepherds of this pleasant vale
Where Yarrow glides along
Forsake your rural toils
And join in my triumphant song!
She grants, she yields one heav'nly smile
Atones her long delays
One happy minute crown the pains
Of many suff'ring days
Yarrow, how dear thy stream
Thy beauteous banks how blest!
For there 'twas first my loveliest maid
A mutual flame confest
Take, take whate'er of bliss or joy
You fondly fancy mine;
Whate'er of joy or bliss I boast
Love renders wholly thine
The woods struck up to the soft gale
The leaves were seen to move
The feather'd choir resum'd their voice
And music fill'd the grove
Yarrow, how dear thy stream
Thy beauteous banks how blest!
For there 'twas first my loveliest maid
A mutual flame confest