IN ABSENCE.
And shall I then regain thee never?
My beautiful! And art thou flown?
Still in my ears resounds for ever
Thy every word, thy every tone.
As through the air, when morn is springing,
The wanderer peers in vain, to trace
The lark, that o'er him high is singing,
Hid in the azure depth of space;
So, love, through field and forest lonely
My sad eyes roam in quest of thee;
My songs are tuned to thee, thee only;
Oh, come, my own love, back to me!
CUPID AS A LANDSCAPE PAINTER, by JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE Poet's Biography First Line: Once I sate upon a mountain Last Line: No, I trow -- not I! Subject(s): Cupid; Paintings & Painters; Eros | |||
ONCE I sate upon a mountain, Gazing on the mist before me; Like a great grey sheet of canvas, Shrouding all things in its cover, Did it float 'twixt earth and heaven. Then a child appear'd beside me, Saying, 'Friend, it is not seemly, Thus to gaze in idle wonder, With that noble breadth before thee. Hast thou lost thine inspiration? Hath the spirit of the painter Died within thee utterly?' But I turn'd and look'd upon him, Speaking not, but thinking inly, 'Will he read a lesson now!' 'Folded hands,' pursued the infant, 'Never yet have won a triumph. Look! I'll paint for thee a picture Such as none have seen before.' And he pointed with his finger, Which like any rose was ruddy; And upon the breadth of vapour With that finger 'gan to draw. First a glorious sun he painted, Dazzling when I look'd upon it; And he made the inner border Of the clouds around it golden, With the light rays through the masses Pouring down in streams of splendour. Then the tender taper summits Of the trees, all leaf and glitter, Started from the sullen void; And the slopes behind them rising, Graceful-lined in undulation, Glided backwards one by one. Underneath, be sure, was water; And the stream was drawn so truly, That it seem'd to break and shimmer, That it seem'd as if cascading From the lofty rolling wheel. There were flowers beside the brooklet; There were colours on the meadow -- Gold and azure, green and purple, Emerald and bright carbuncle. Clear and pure he work'd the ether As with lapis-lazuli, And the mountains in the distance Stretching blue and far away -- All so well, that I, in rapture At the second revelation, Turn'd to gaze upon the painter, From the picture which he drew. 'Have I not,' he said, 'convinced thee That I know the painter's secret? Yet the greatest is to come.' Then he drew with gentle finger, Still more delicately pointed, In the wood, about its margin, Where the sun within the water Glanced as from the clearest mirror, Such a maiden's form! Perfect shape in perfect raiment, Fair young cheeks 'neath glossy ringlets, And the cheeks were of the colour Of the finger whence they came. 'Child,' I cried, 'what wondrous master In his school of art hath form'd thee, That so deftly, and so truly, From the sketch unto the burnish, Thou hast finish'd such a gem?' As I spoke, a breeze arising Stirr'd the tree-tops in the picture, Ruffled every pool of water, Waved the garments of the maiden; And, what more than all amazed me, Her small feet took motion also, And she came towards the station Where I sat beside the boy. So, when everything was moving, Leaves and water, flowers and raiment, And the footsteps of the darling -- Think you I remain'd as lifeless As the rock on which I rested? No, I trow -- not I! | |||
Father’s Day for Gay Boys
Take your meals, my little man,
Always like a gentleman;
Wash your face and hands with care,
Change your shoes, and brush your hair;
Then so fresh, and clean, and neat,
Come and take your proper seat:
Do not loiter and be late,
Making other people wait;
Do not rudely point or touch:
Do not eat and drink too much:
Finish what you have, before
You even ask, or send for more:
Never crumble or destroy
Food that others might enjoy;
They who idly crumbs will waste
Often want a loaf to taste!
Never spill your milk or tea,
Never rude or noisy be;
Never choose the daintiest food,
Be content with what is good:
Seek in all things that you can
To be a little gentleman.
