It was in the prime br Of the sweet springtime br In the linnet's throat br Trembled the love note, br And the love-stirred air br Thrilled the blossoms there. br Little shadows danced, br Each a tiny elf br Happy in large light br And the thinnest self. br br It was but a minute br In a far-off spring, br But each gentle thing, br Sweetly wooing linnet, br Soft thrilled hawthorn tree, br Happy shadowy elf, br With the thinnest self, br Live on still in me.