OF GENEVA, SWITZERLAND .

Like the odorous breath of a rose in June;
Like the sweet refrain of a far-off tune;
Like a gentle breeze from a summer sea,
The thought of thy loveliness comes to me,
Dearest Elise.

In dreams I revisit thy wonderland;
I sit in the midst of thy household band,
And whisper the love I could never say
In the world's cold speech, in the light of day,
Darling Elise.

I see the waves of thy blue Rhone flow,
See thy glorious mountains crowned with snow,
And wander again by thy storied lake,
So fair, and yet fairer for thy sweet sake,
Charming Elise.

And I hope, with a hope undimmed by fear,
That some happy day of an unborn year,
I shall be permitted by God's good grace,
To clasp thee again in a fond embrace,
Gentle Elise.

That He who dwelleth in infinite light,
May allot thee a path serene and bright,
May love thee and lead thee from day to day,
Is the wish I cherish, the prayer I pray,
For thee, Elise.