For Syrian fields preparing,
Dunois the young and bold,
While trumpet-calls were blaring
And drums impatient rolled,
Two boons the best and rarest
At Mary's shrine implored:
“To love the maiden fairest,
To bear the bravest sword!”

True faith outvalues daring;
Dunois was sword and shield,
His liege's banner bearing
On many a bloody field.
Still faithful, fearless, prayed he,
In camp or march or fight:
“Be mine the fairest lady,
Be hers the bravest knight!”

“And now we are victorious,
Dunois,” declared his lord;

When Beauty fills the lover's eyes,
And lives like doubtful weather,
Her bosom seems to sleep with love;
They lie like birds together.

Love finds them angels ready made,
So beautiful and blooming;
But Time comes in, though half afraid,
And rudely calls them woman.

Time, like a robber, every year
Takes all the fame he gives;
While Beauty only goes away,
And Virtue only lives.

Come , my Corinna, let us try
Which loves you best, of you, and I;
I know you oft have in your glasse,
Seene the faint shaddow of your face,
And, consequently, then became
A wond'ringe lover as I am;
Though not so great a one, for what
You saw, was but a glimpse of that
So sweet, so charminge Majestie,
Which I in its full luster see:
But, if you then had gaz'd upon
Your selfe, as your reflection,
And seene those eys for which I dye,
Perhapps you'd beene as sick, as I.
Thus, Sweetest, then it is confest!
That, of us lovers, I love best;

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.