On me to rest, my bird, my bird:
The swaying branches of my heart
Are blown by every wind toward
The home whereto their wings depart.

Build not your nest, my bird, on me;
I know no peace but ever sway:
O lovely bird, be free, be free,
On the wild music of the day.

But sometimes when your wings would rest,
And winds are laid on quiet eves:
Come, I will bear you breast to breast,
And lap you close with loving leaves.

Blest is the man who loves and after early play
Whereby his limbs are supple made and strong,
Retiring to his house, with wine and song
Toys with a fair boy on his breast the livelong day!

There is a channel called love
Through the dark way;
Behold! we feel, see wild mass of trees
And blindness to bind us.

The numbness that God has wrought—
We, his exuberant children;
O soul, how many plays in love are sought!
An author's maimed, countless thrill gains.

Halt! spot we own is drawing nearer.
Do you dare to enter at dawn
Where the clouds settle in the north—
And find the way where trembling is dearer?

Well! through the path I strove;
I know not who followed.
I found that I and the liquid air—

Let time and chance combine, combine,
—Let time and chance combine;
The fairest love from heaven above,
—That love of yours was mine,
My dear,
—That love of yours was mine.

The past is fled and gone, and gone,
—The past is fled and gone;
If naught but pain to me remain,
—I'll fare in memory on,
My dear,
—I'll fare in memory on.

The saddest tears must fall, must fall,
—The saddest tears must fall;
In weal or woe, in this world below,
—I love you ever and all,
My dear,
—I love you ever and all.

'Twas summer eve, and I had wander'd
Where lofty trees o'erhang the wave,
That, rippling on its course, meander'd
By my Mary's early grave.
The pale moon o'er the scene presided,
And not a zephyr stirr'd the grove;
The hour, the stream that near me glided,
All brought to mind my buried love.

The last time I had wander'd hither,
Mary was warbling by my side—
Thou fairest flower! doom'd to wither
In youth and beauty's stainless pride:
I wept not o'er thy narrow dwelling,
With not one tear my cheek was wet—

Light—light upon my soul!
Downward it streams from its celestial fountains;
About me glows like sunrise on the mountains;
It bringeth gladsome cheer,
Farewell my night of fear!

Life—life I feel within!
Fresh from its rich, immortal source descending,
It lends me power divine, forever ending
The weakness felt before;
I now can faint no more.

Love—love my bosom fills!
From Him whose name is Love, it comes, inspiring
Deep, warm, responsive love, my spirit firing
With holy rapturous glow,
Such as pure seraphs know.

From heaven there fell upon the foaming wave
A timid drop; the flood with anger roar'd,—
But God, its modest boldness to reward,
Strength to the drop and firm endurance gave.
Its form the mussel captive took.
And to its lasting glory and renown,
The pearl now glistens in our monarch's crown,
With gentle gleam and loving look.

Writes he in Neski,
Faithfully speaks he;
Writes he in Talik,
Joy to give, seeks he:
Writes he in either,
Good!—for he loves!

Love for love, and moments sweet,
Lips returning kiss for kiss,
Word for word, and eyes that meet;
Breath for breath, and bliss for bliss.
Thus at eve, and thus the morrow!
Yet thou feelest, at my lay,
Ever some half-hidden sorrow;
Could I Jussuf's graces borrow,
All thy beauty I'd repay!

List , and in memory bear
These six fond loving pair.
Love, when aroused, kept true
Rustan and Rodawu!
Strangers approach from far
Jussuf and Suleika;
Love, void of hope, is in
Ferhad and Schirin.
Born for each other are
Medschnun and Leila;
Loving, though old and grey,
Dschemil saw Boteinah.
Love's sweet caprice anon,
Brown maid and Solomon!
If thou dost mark them well,
Stronger thy love will swell.