Page:The Soul of a Century.djvu/67

  And I tried to write that my heart wildly quakes As the meadows stir under the fairies’ dancing feet, When a southern zephyr through their tresses breaks And wakes the flowers to love’s rustling beat; And that the strength/ concealed within my heart With songs of joy its secret would impart, Like the scent that speaks of Spring when shadows fall; But all I write, I love you above all.

And I tried to write that my thoughts are set ablaze Like a golden light within a crystal fount, Like a Morning Star shines through the morning haze, Like the bush that burned on Sinai’s Sacred mount; And I tried to write that all my life and might Was set aflame like a sparkling diamond’s light From whence your soul shines like a fiery ball, But all I write, I love you above all.

And I tried to write that ne’er shall I forget, Like a maple ne’er forgets the warmth of Springs, That I must seek you and still my soul’s regret Like Saul once sought the harp’s love-laden strings. That you were once my most resplendant song, That your forehead’s gleam will light my grave for long, Though the wings of death will shield it as a pall, But all I write, I love you above all.

Torcello, you distant island, Longing drew me to your shores, In your groves I want to linger Here man! Throw away the oars!

Here at last I want to linger In the shade of swaying trees, While my thoughts turn to my country, To my home beyond the seas.