And outside by the cottage, last of all,
The boy glances up at a casement small,
And glances down without greeting.
'Neath his hand his heart is beating.
"What, brother! Art lacking a bright nosegay?
See yonder--the beckoning, blossomy spray!
God save thee, thou prettiest sweeting!
Drop down now a nosegay for greeting!"
"Nay, brothers, pass yonder casement by.
No prettiest sweeting like her have I.
In the sun those blossoms would wither;
The wind it would blow them thither."
So farther and farther with shout and song!
And the maiden listens and harkens long
"Ah, me! he is flown now beyond me--
The boy I have loved so fondly!
And here I stay, with my lonely lot,
With roses, ah!--and forget-me-not,
And he whose heart I'd be sharing--
He is gone on his far wayfaring!"
* * * * *
FAREWELL[22] (1807)
Farewell, farewell! From thee
Today, love, must I sever.
One kiss, one kiss give me,
Ere I quit thee forever!
One blossom from yon tree
O give to me, I pray!
No fruit, no fruit for me!
So long I may not stay.
[Illustration: LEAVING AT DAWN]
* * * * *
THE HOSTESS' DAUGHTER[23] (1809)
Three students had cross'd o'er the Rhine's dark tide;
At the door of a hostel they turned aside.
"Hast thou, Dame hostess, good ale and wine
And where is thy daughter, so sweet and fine?"
"My ale and wine are cool and clear;
On her death-bed lieth my daughter dear.
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