See in the babe two loveliest flowers united-yet
in truth,
While in the bud they seem the same-the
virgin and the youth!
But loosened is the gentle bond, no longer side
by side-
From holy shame the fiery strength will soon
itself divide.
Permit the youth to sport, and still the wild
desire to chase,
For, but when sated, weary strength returns
to seek the grace.
Yet in the bud, the double flowers the future
strife begin,
How precious all-yet naught can still
the longing heart within.
In ripening charms the virgin bloom to woman
shape hath grown,
But round the ripening charms the pride hath
clasped its guardian zone;
Shy, as before the hunters horn the doe
all trembling moves,
She flies from man as from a foe, and hates
before she loves!
From lowering brows this struggling world the
fearless youth observes,
And hardened for the strife betimes, he strains
the willing nerves;
Far to the armed throng and to the race prepared
to start,
Inviting glory calls him forth, and grasps the
troubled heart:-
Protect thy work, O Nature now! one from the
other flies,
Till thou unitest each at last that for the
other sighs.
There art thou, mighty one! whereer the
discord darkest frown,
Thou callst the meek harmonious peace,
the god-like soother down.
The noisy chase is lulled asleep, days
clamor dies afar,
And through the sweet and veiled air in beauty
comes the star.
Soft-sighing through the crisped reeds, the
brooklet glides along,
And every wood the nightingale melodious fills
with song.
O virgin! now what instinct heaves thy bosom
with the sigh?
O youth! and wherefore steals the tear into
thy dreaming eye?
Alas! they seek in vain within the charm around
bestowed,
The tender fruit is ripened now, and bows to
earth its load.
And restless goes the youth to feed his heart
upon its fire,
All, where the gentle breath to cool the flame
of young desire!
And now they meet-the holy love that
leads them lights their eyes,
And still behind the winged god the winged victory
flies.
O heavenly love!-tis thy sweet
task the human flowers to bind,
For ay apart, and yet by thee forever intertwined!
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