No more within my mantle could I hide; I threw it off,--she lay within mine arm. 1807-8. ----- IN A WORD. THUS to be chain'd for ever, can I bear? A very torment that, in truth, would be. This very day my new resolve shall see.-- I'll not go near the lately-worshipp'd Fair. Yet what excuse, my heart, can I prepare In such a case, for not consulting thee? But courage! while our sorrows utter we In tones where love, grief, gladness have a share. But see! the minstrel's bidding to obey, Its melody pours forth the sounding lyre, Yearning a sacrifice of love to bring. Scarce wouldst thou think it--ready is the lay; Well, but what then? Methought in the first fire We to her presence flew, that lay to sing. 1807─8. ----- THE MAIDEN SPEAKS. How grave thou loookest, loved one! wherefore so? Thy marble image seems a type of thee; Like it, no sign of life thou giv'st to me; Compared with thee, the stone appears to glow. Behind his shield in ambush lurks the foe, The friend's brow all-unruffled we should see. I seek thee, but thou seek'st away to flee; Fix'd as this sculptured figure, learn to grow! Tell me, to which should I the preference pay? Must I from both with coldness meet alone? The one is lifeless, thou with life art blest. In short, no longer to throw words away, I'll fondy kiss and kiss and kiss this stone, Till thou dost tear me hence with envious breast. 1807. ----- GROWTH. O'ER field and plain, in childhood's artless days, Thou sprang'st with me, on many a spring-morn fair. "For such a daughter, with what pleasing care, Would I, as father, happy dwellings raise!" And when thou on the world didst cast thy gaze, Thy joy was then in household toils to share. "Why did I trust her, why she trust me e'er? For such a sister, how I Heaven should praise!" Nothing can now the beauteous growth retard; Love's glowing flame within my breast is fann'd. Shall I embrace her form, my grief to end? Thee as a queen must I, alas, regard: So high above me placed thou seem'st to stand; Before a passing look I meekly bend. 1807─8. ----- FOOD IN TRAVEL. IF to her eyes' bright lustre I were blind, No longer would they serve my life to gild. The will of destiny must be fulfilid,-- This knowing, I withdrew with sadden'd mind. No further happiness I now could find: The former longings of my heart were still'd; I sought her looks alone, whereon to build My joy in life,--all else was left behind. Wine's genial glow, the festal banquet gay, Ease, sleep, and friends, all wonted pleasures glad I spurn'd, till little there remain'd to prove. Now calmly through the world I wend my way: That which I crave may everywhere be had, With me I bring the one thing needful--love. 1807─8. ----- DEPARTURE. WITH many a thousand kiss not yet content,