Page:The Soul of a Century.djvu/11



It is not the earth, nor wholly the starry skies That are reflected in her slender mould: It is holiness ensnared in beauty’s hold, A soul divine that in her body lies.

One moment love consumes her; the next she sighs, Refusing love, the heavens she would enfold: Runs to your arms as a lightning, fast and bold, Her glowing forehead, the starry world defies.

Yes, I suspect that some omnipresent power She borrowed from the very Gods above, ’Cause in my eyes and mind she lingers every hour.

O, tell me lovely object of my love, Are you a clod? Then I shall not grieve in vain. Are you an angel? I shall worship you again.

By these lips, your heart’s untrodden sill, ’Fore your eyes, the blossoms of your soul, My eternal love I now extol: Take this as a promise I must fill.

Life is ruled by Time that aims to kill; Time that beckons us beyond its realm, There and here I’m yours with love at helm. The stars and heavens bear witness to my will.

On this drifting cloud I am descending, I, who pity you, who am your Fate, Hush your pledges, faced with strife unending.

Peace and strife I’ll separate past mending, Till somewhere, but when, I cannot state I will bind you in a joyous ending.