The Gardenia pleaded — " See how white am I! " —
" White, but not so white as She! " — Was my reply.
" My light is of the heavens! " — said Sirius afar;
" But not so Paradisiac as hers! " — I told the star.
The swallow twittered in the boughs.
To nightingale amid the flowers,
Singing in a glad carouse
As I listened through the hours.
" What a pair of tuneless voices
When compared to notes of hers!
Nor is there a star rejoices
With the glow her soft glance stirs,
Simply telling me — I love thee.
Take away, O God, the light,
The scents, the birds, the stars above me! —
Take away all beauty bright,
But leave her to my sight! "