第3章

I

Words --lies,hollow shadows,nothing more,Growding Life from all sides round!

In you,dead and tired,must I outpour Spirits that in me abound?

Yet Earth's envious Gods have scanned before Human fire with gaze profound;

And forever must the Earthling poor Mate his bosom's glow with sound.

For,if passion leaped up,vibrant,bold,In the Soul's sweet radiance,Daringly it would your worlds enfold,Would dethrone you,would bring you down low,Would outsoar the Zephyr-dance.

Ripe a world above you then would grow.

TO JENNY

I

Jenny!Teasingly you may inquire Why my songs "To Jenny"I address,When for you alone my pulse beats higher,When my songs for you alone despair,When you only can their heart inspire,When your name each syllable must confess,When you lend each note melodiousness,When no breath would stray from the Goddess?

'Tis because so sweet the dear name sounds,And its cadence says so much to me,And so full,so sonorous it resounds,Like to vibrant Spirits in the distance,Like the gold-stringed Cithern's harmony,Like some wondrous,magical existence.