Like a flashing apparition,

Like a spirit of beauty pure.

And enraptured beats my heart,

And risen are for it again

Both reverence, and inspiration

And life, and tears, and love.

1825.

THE GRACES.

Till now no faith I had in Graces:

Seemed strange to me their triple sight;

Thee I see, and with faith am filled

Adoring now in one the three!

POEMS MISCELLANEOUS.

THE BIRDLET.

IN exile I sacredly observe

The custom of my fatherland:

I freedom to a birdlet give

On Spring's holiday serene.

And now I too have consolation:

Wherefore murmur against my God

When at least to one living being

I could of freedom make a gift?

1823.

THE NIGHTINGALE.

IN silent gardens, in the spring, in the darkness of the night

Sings above the rose from the east the nightingale;

But dear rose neither feeling has, nor listens it,

But under its lover's hymn waveth it and slumbers.

Dost thou not sing thus to beauty cold?

Reflect, O bard, whither art thou striding?

She neither listens, nor the bard she feels.

Thou gazest? Bloom she does; thou callest? -

Answer none she gives!

1827.

THE FLOWERET.

A FLOWERET, withered, odorless

In a book forgot I find;

And already strange reflection