LIEBESLIED
Like a frail shell on the breast of the ocean
Sways now my heart to the rhythm of thine!
Cradled, is borne on the crest of emotion,
Sinks in the deep of a languor divine!
And as the shell the wild waves onward carry,
So doth thy love bear my heart to its shore!
Here on its golden sands blissful to tarry
Held in thy fond clasp to wander no more!
Lay thy dear lips to my lips, oh my lover,—
Read in mine eyes all my tongue may not tell!
Love, as a bee, gaily sips (gallant rover!),
Rove thou no more—nay, I yield to thy spell!
I
LONGING
Oh, to be out on the Ocean! where the waves beat wild and free,
Where there's naught 'twixt the sky and billows but the boat, and you, and me!
Where the winds with their touch caress us, and the sea-gulls sweep on high,
And the bell, from its rocky outpost, sends forth its warning cry!
Oh, to be out on the Ocean! with the cold, salt spray to dash
Athwart the bows of the vessel, and foaming, to merrily lash
The boat to freer effort, as she plunges a-thrill with life
O'er the crest of the bounding billows and above their surging strife!
Oh, to be out on the Ocean! with no heart 'twixt you and me!
With no bond that must bind forever here, but strong and brave and free!
With the song of grand old Ocean, as it lulls us on its breast,—
With the thought of a perfect union, and of perfect love and rest!
Oh, to be out on the Ocean! although storms rise dark and strong,
Though by wind and by wave through the tempest we sweep our way along;
Till the stars come out in the Heavens, and the wind has sunk to rest,
And I list to words of comfort as I lean on your faithful breast!
Oh, to be out on the Ocean! and to leave the din and strife,
To taste but once more of freedom and to drink of the wine of life!
Oh, to be out on the Ocean! where the waves beat wild and free,
With naught 'twixt the sky and the billows but the boat, and you and me!
II
ON THE SEA
(The Answer)
We are sailing over the crest of the billow,
Afar from the world and its sorrow and pain;
While I on thy soft breast my head now may pillow
And lull me to rest and to peace once again!
Nay, Love, how thy heart in its prison is beating!
It throbs 'neath mine ear as a fluttering bird;
While swift to my lips comes thy low song, repeating
The lilt of the waves, in a measure half-heard!
"For oh! to be out on the Ocean, the Ocean,—
And oh! to be far from the world, Love, with thee!"
It rises and falls with the waves' rhythmic motion,
Is filled with night's balm as with starbeams the sea!
"With naught 'twixt the sky and the billows"—now singing
The words keep repeating the tender refrain—
"But the boat,"—comes once more in cadence clear ringing,—
"'Twixt the sky and billows"—I hear it again!
Now, "save thee and me"—falls the song in its measure
Across the wide Ocean of thought, love, from thee,
And I know to my heart's deep, mysterious treasure,
Thy love, like a bird, flies to harbor with me!
Nay, how could we dream that o'er Time's trackless ocean
Thy soul, thus responsive, should answer to mine?
Or, that out of the chalice of silent emotion
My heart drink in equal communion with thine!