Cometh into my mind.

Bloomed, where? when? In what spring?

And how long ago? And plucked by whom?

Was it by a strange hand? Was it by a dear hand?

And wherefore left thus here?

Was it in memory of a tender meeting?

Was it in memory of a fated parting?

Was it in memory of a lonely walk?

In the peaceful fields or in the shady woods?

Lives he still? Lives she still?

And where their nook this very day?

Or are they too withered

Like unto this unknown floweret?

1828.

THE HORSE.

Why dost thou neigh, O spirited steed,

Why thy neck so low,

Why thy mane unshaken

Why thy bit not gnawed?

Do I then not fondle thee?

Thy grain to eat art thou not free?

Is not thy harness ornamented,

Is not thy rein of silk,

Is not thy shoe of silver,

Thy stirrup not of gold?

The steed in sorrow answer gives:

Hence am I quiet

Because the distant tramp I hear,

The trumpet's blow and the arrow's whizz

And hence I neigh, since in the field

No longer feed I shall,

Nor in beauty live and fondling,

Neither shine with harness bright.

For soon the stem enemy

My harness whole shall take