Classic Poem

I.

I have been wont to bear my head on high,
Haughty and stern am I of mood and mien;
Yea, tho' a king should gaze on me, I ween,
I should not at his gaze cast down my eye.

But I will speak, dear Mother, candidly:
When most puffed up my haughty mood hath been,
At thy sweet presence, blissful and serene,
I feel the shudder of humility.

Does thy soul all unknown my soul subdue,
Thy lofty soul that pierces all things thro'
And speeds on lightning wings to heaven's blue?
Or am I racked by what my memories tell
Of frequent deeds which caused thy heart to swell —
That beauteous heart which loved me, ah! too well.

II.

Thee had I once in a mad dream forsaken,
And then I longed to roam the wide world over,
To see, perchance, if I might Love discover,
And, with embraces loving, Love awaken!
I made my search for Love thro' all the ways,
Before each door with outstretched hands implored,
Like any beggar, alms from Love's rich hoard.
Men sneered, and froze me with their scornful gaze,
But in my love-search never ceasing, ever
For Love, still Love, I sought and found it never;
Then turning once more, homeward, sick with care,
Thou didst come forth to meet me — was I dreaming?
For oh, behold! in thy deep eyes lay gleaming,
Love, the long-sought-for, sweetest Love, was there!