With foolish fancy I deserted thee; I fain would search the whole world through, to learn If in it I perchance could love discern, That I might love embrace right-lovingly. I sought for love as far as eye could see, My hands extending at each door in turn, Begging them not my prayer for love to spurn-- Cold hate alone they laughing gave to me. And ever search’d I after love; yes, ever Search’d after love, but love discover’d never, And so I homeward went, with troubled thought; But thou wert there to welcome me again, And, ah, what in thy dear eye floated then _That_ was the sweet love I so long had sought. TO H. S. When I thy book, friend, open hastily, Full many a cherish’d picture meets my view, And many a golden image that I knew In boyish dreams and days of infancy. Proudly tow’rd heaven upsoaring, then I see The pious dome, rotted by religion true, I bear the sound of bell and organ too, Love’s sweet lament at times addressing me. Well see I, too, how o’er the dome they skip, The nimble dwarfs, and with malicious joy The beauteous flow’r- and carvèd- work destroy. But though the oak of foliage we may strip, And rob it of its fair and verdant grace, When spring returns, fresh leaves it dons apace. FRESCO-SONNETS TO CHRISTIAN S--. 1. I take no notice of the blockheads tame Who, seeming to be golden, are but sand; I never offer to that rogue my hand Who secretly would injure my good name; I bow not to the harlots who proclaim Boldly their infamy throughout the land; And when in victor-cars the rabble band Draw their vain idols, with them I ne’er came. Well know I that the oak must fall indeed, Whilst by the streamlet’s side the pliant reed Stands in all winds and weathers, fearing not; But say, what is the reed’s eventual lot? What joy! As walking-stick it serves the dandy, Or else for beating clothes they find it handy. 2. Give me a mask, I’ll join the masquerade As country clown, so that the rabble rot Who in their proud disguises strut about May not suppose me one of their vile trade. Give me low manners, words on purpose made To show vulgarity beyond all doubt; All sparks of spirit I’ll with care put out Wherewith dull fools coquet in accents staid. So will I dance then at the great mask’d ball, By German knights, monks, kings surrounded too, By Harlequin saluted, known to few. With wooden swords they’ll strike me, one and all. That is the joke. For if I show my face, The rascals will be silenced in disgrace. 3.