A sphinx was lying before the door, Part comical, part not human; Its body and paws a lion’s were, With the breasts and head of a woman. A woman fair! her white eyes spoke Of yearnings wild but tender; Her lips, all mute, were closely arch’d, And smiled a silent surrender. The nightingale so sweetly sang, I found it in vain to resist it-- I kiss’d the beauteous face, and, ah! Was ruined as soon as I kissed it. The marble figure with life was fill’d, The stone began sighing and groaning; She drank my kisses’ tremulous glow With thirsty and eager moaning. She well nigh drank my breath away, And then, with sensual ardour, Embraced me, while her lion’s paws press’d My body harder and harder. O blissful torment and rapturous woe! The pain, like the pleasure, unbounded! For while the mouth’s kisses filled me with joy, The paws most fearfully wounded. The nightingale sang: “O beauteous sphinx! “O loved one, explain the reason “Why all thy raptures with pains of death “Are mingled, in cruel treason? “O beauteous sphinx! explain to me “The riddle so full of wonder! “I over it many a thousand years “Have never ceased to ponder.” _YOUTHFUL SORROWS._ 1817-21. I. VISIONS. 1. Of love’s wild glow I dreamt in former days, Of mignonette, fair locks, and myrtle twining, Of lips so sweet, with bitter words combining, Of mournful melodies of mournful lays. The dreams have long been scatter’d far and banish’d, My dearest vision fled for evermore, And, save the burning glow I used to pour Into my tender numbers, all is vanish’d. Thou ling’rest still, deserted song! Now go, And seek that long-lost vision; shouldst thou meet it, On my behalf in loving fashion greet it,-- An airy breath to that dim shade I blow. 2. A dream both strange and sad to see Once startled and delighted me; The dismal vision haunts me still, And in my heart doth wildly thrill. There was a garden wondrous fair,-- I fain would wander gladly there; The beauteous flowers upon me gazed, And high I found my rapture raised. The birds were twittering above Their joyous melodies of love; The sun was red with rays of gold, The flowers all lovely to behold. Sweet fragrance all the herbs exhale, And sweetly, softly blows the gale; And all things glisten, all things smile, And show their loveliness the while. Amid that bright and flowery land A marble fountain was at hand, And there I saw a maiden fair Washing a garment white with care. Her cheeks were sweet, her eyes were mild, Fair hair’d and saintly look’d the child, And as I gazed, she seem’d to be So strange, yet so well known to me.