Classic Poem

THE THOUGHT SUGGESTED BY A SPANISH SAYING , " AIR — FIRE — WATER — SHAME . "

Water . Seek for me in the Arab maid's bower,
Where the fountain plays over the jasmine flower;
Seek for me in the light cascade
The minstrel lists in the greenwood shade;
Seek me at morn 'mid the violet's dyes:
Seek me where rainbows paint April skies:
In the blue rush of rivers, the depths of the sea, —
If we should sever, there seek for me.

Fire . Seek for me where the war-shots meet,
Where the soldier's cloak is his winding-sheet;
Seek for me where the lava wave
Bursts from Etna's secret cave;
Seek for me where Christmas mirth
Brightens the circle of love round your hearth;
Where meteor-flames glance, where the stars are bright;
Where the beacon flashes at the dead midnight;
Where the lightning scathes the tall oak-tree, —
If we should sever, there seek for me.

Air . Seek for me where the Spanish maid
Hearkens at eve to the serenade:
Seek for me where the clouds are dark,
Where the billows foam round the sinking bark;
Where the aspen-leaf floats on the summer's gale.
Where the rose bends low at the nightingale's tale:
Where the wind-harp wakens in melody, —
If we should sever, there seek for me.

Shame . Seek not me, if we should sever:
Parted once, we part for ever.