Classic Poem

1. Farewell.

Farewell, farewell, my dearest love,
To-day must see us sever;
A kiss, a kiss at parting give,
I leave thee, love, for ever.
A blossom, blossom, break for me
From the tree i' the garden blowing;
No fruit, no fruit, dear love, for me,
I may not wait its growing.

2. Parting and Starting.

From thee must I be starting
Who mad'st my life so blest!
Thou kissest me at parting,
I press thee to my breast.
Say, dearest, is it starting
While fondly you caress me?
Say, dearest, is it parting
While closely thus you press me?

3. Far away.

Beneath the trees I'll rest me here,
And list the songbirds sweet;
Why seek ye thus my heart to cheer,
How know ye of our love so dear
In this remote retreat?

I'll rest beside this torrent clear
'Mid flow'rets sweet and gay;
Who, floweret sweet, hath sent thee here,
Art thou affection's token dear
From her that's far away?

4. Morning-song.

As yet the sun's first rays are pale,
The matin-bell down yon dim vale
Not yet its peal is flinging;
How still the spacious woodlands seem!
The birds but twitter in a dream,
As yet no lays are ringing;
Long time I've paced the fields along,
And thus betimes have framed the song,
Which loudly now I'm singing.

5. Travelling by Night.

Across a darksome land I ride,
Both moon and stars their radiance hide,
The chilly winds are hissing;
I oft have passed the selfsame way
When laughed the sunshine's golden ray
And wanton winds were kissing.

Across a garden dark I go,
Through faded trees chill breezes blow,
Leaves drop from branches dreary;
Here was I wont, when roses bloomed
And all things Love's soft looks assumed,
To wander with my dearie. —

'Tis quenched, 'tis gone, that gladsome sun,
The rosebuds withered every one,
The grave my love is holding;
Across a darksome land I ride,
'Mid winter's storms, no light to guide,
My mantle round me folding.

6. Winter Travelling.

So cold the wind is blowing,
The roads are void and bare;
The waters still are standing,
I only onward fare.

The sun shines out but dimly,
And soon must pass from sight;
Love's fires are all extinguished,
All joys have vanished quite.

At last the wood is traversed,
The thorpe I gladly gain;
Here may I warm my fingers,
Tho' cold my heart remain.

7. Going Away.

Thus now at length I leave the place
Where late I've dwelt for many a day;
I quit the streets with sturdy pace,
With none to cheer my lonesome way.

At parting none my coat have rent,
'Twere pity, sure, such cloth to tear;
Nor on my cheek I find the dent
Of teeth pressed close in strong despair.

None found last night their slumbers gone
That I so soon from hence must go;
They all in peace could slumber on,
Yet one dear face to lose — is wo!

8. The Inn.

A kind and gentle host was he
With whom I stayed but now;
His sign a golden apple was
That dangled from a bough.

Yea! 'twas a goodly apple-tree
With whom I late did rest;
With pleasant food and juices fresh
My parching mouth he blest.

There entered in his house so green
Full many a light-winged guest;
They gaily frisked and feasted well
And blithely sang their best.

I found a couch for sweet repose
Of yielding verdure made;
The host himself, he o'er me spread
His cool and grateful shade.

Then asked I what I had to pay,
Whereat his head he shook;
O blest be he for evermore
From root to topmost nook!

9. The Journey Home.

O break not, bridge that tremblest so!
O fall not, rock that threat'nest wo!
Earth, sink not down; thou heav'n, abide
Until I reach my loved one's side!