Their lives last
HE .
Canst thou give, oh fair and matchless maiden,
'Neath the shadow of the lindens yonder, —
Where I'd fain one moment cease to wander, —
Food and drink to one so heavy laden?
SHE .
Wouldst thou find refreshment, traveller weary,
Bread, ripe fruit and cream to meet thy wishes, —
None but Nature's plain and homely dishes, —
Near the spring may soothe thy wanderings dreary.
HE .
Dreams of old acquaintance now pass through me,
Ne'er-forgotten queen of hours of blisses:
Likenesses I've often found, but this is
One that quite a marvel seemeth to me!
SHE .
Travellers often wonder beyond measure,
But their wonder soon see cause to smother;
Fair and dark are often like each other,
Both inspire the mind with equal pleasure.
HE .
Not now for the first time I surrender
To this form, in humble adoration;
It was brightest midst the constellation
In the hall adorn'd with festal splendour.
SHE .
Be thou joyful that 'tis in my power
To complete thy strange and merry story!
Silks behind her, full of purple glory,
Floated, when thou saw'st her in that hour.
HE .
No, in truth, thou hast not sung it rightly!
Spirits may have told thee all about it;
Pearls and gems they spoke of, do not doubt it, —
By her gaze eclipsed, — it gleam'd so brightly!
SHE .
This one thing I certainly collected:
That the fair one — (say nought, I entreat thee!)
Fondly hoping once again to meet thee,
Many a castle in the air erected.
HE .
By each wind I ceaselessly was driven,
Seeking gold and honour, too, to capture!
When my wand'rings end, then oh, what rapture,
If to find that form again 'tis given!
SHE .
'Tis the daughter of the race now banish'd
That thou seeest, not her likeness only;
Helen and her brother, glad though lonely,
Till this farm of their estate now vanish'd.
HE .
But the owner surely is not wanting
Of these plains, with ev'ry beauty teeming?
Verdant fields, broad meads, and pastures gleaming,
Gushing springs, all heav'nly and enchanting.
SHE .
Thou must hunt the world through, wouldst thou find him! —
We have wealth enough in our possession,
And intend to purchase the succession,
When the good man leaves the world behind him.
HE .
I have learnt the owner's own condition,
And fair maiden, thou indeed canst buy it;
But the cost is great, I won't deny it, —
Helen is the price, — with thy permission!
SHE .
Did then fate and rank keep us asunder,
And must Love take this road, and no other?
Yonder comes my dear and trusty brother;
What will he say to it all, I wonder?
Canst thou give, oh fair and matchless maiden,
'Neath the shadow of the lindens yonder, —
Where I'd fain one moment cease to wander, —
Food and drink to one so heavy laden?
SHE .
Wouldst thou find refreshment, traveller weary,
Bread, ripe fruit and cream to meet thy wishes, —
None but Nature's plain and homely dishes, —
Near the spring may soothe thy wanderings dreary.
HE .
Dreams of old acquaintance now pass through me,
Ne'er-forgotten queen of hours of blisses:
Likenesses I've often found, but this is
One that quite a marvel seemeth to me!
SHE .
Travellers often wonder beyond measure,
But their wonder soon see cause to smother;
Fair and dark are often like each other,
Both inspire the mind with equal pleasure.
HE .
Not now for the first time I surrender
To this form, in humble adoration;
It was brightest midst the constellation
In the hall adorn'd with festal splendour.
SHE .
Be thou joyful that 'tis in my power
To complete thy strange and merry story!
Silks behind her, full of purple glory,
Floated, when thou saw'st her in that hour.
HE .
No, in truth, thou hast not sung it rightly!
Spirits may have told thee all about it;
Pearls and gems they spoke of, do not doubt it, —
By her gaze eclipsed, — it gleam'd so brightly!
SHE .
This one thing I certainly collected:
That the fair one — (say nought, I entreat thee!)
Fondly hoping once again to meet thee,
Many a castle in the air erected.
HE .
By each wind I ceaselessly was driven,
Seeking gold and honour, too, to capture!
When my wand'rings end, then oh, what rapture,
If to find that form again 'tis given!
SHE .
'Tis the daughter of the race now banish'd
That thou seeest, not her likeness only;
Helen and her brother, glad though lonely,
Till this farm of their estate now vanish'd.
HE .
But the owner surely is not wanting
Of these plains, with ev'ry beauty teeming?
Verdant fields, broad meads, and pastures gleaming,
Gushing springs, all heav'nly and enchanting.
SHE .
Thou must hunt the world through, wouldst thou find him! —
We have wealth enough in our possession,
And intend to purchase the succession,
When the good man leaves the world behind him.
HE .
I have learnt the owner's own condition,
And fair maiden, thou indeed canst buy it;
But the cost is great, I won't deny it, —
Helen is the price, — with thy permission!
SHE .
Did then fate and rank keep us asunder,
And must Love take this road, and no other?
Yonder comes my dear and trusty brother;
What will he say to it all, I wonder?
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