Classic Poem

Then what wast thou? In what far land didst thou
Blossom? What region, splendid from thy breath,
Triumphed thenceforward over night and death?
Waht lily was the white calm of thy brow?
Art thou a lily, or a grand rose now,
Or some unearthly flower too sweet to name?
Yea, from what strange dim shadowy woodland came
Thy spirit? Thou art flower-sweet. Whence, or how?

Who saw thee blossoming in the lonely vale
With thine own soft surpassing sweetness pale?
Who watched thee, sweetheart, centuries ago?
Was I the wind who kissed thee, or the stream
Within whose ripples did thy petals dream,—
Or leaves which over thee cool shade did throw?