The following lines, written two days before he died, were addressed to a fragrant, golden-coloured flower whose English name I cannot ascertain.
TO THE GULDENLAK.
Sweet flower! before thy reign is o’er,
I shall be gone, to return no more,
Before thou losest thy crown of gold,
I shall lie low in the cold dark mould.
Open the window, and raise me up!
My last glance must rest on her golden cup.
My soul will kiss her, as it passes by
And wave farewell from the distant sky.
Yea, twice will I kiss thy fragrant lip,
Where the wild honey-bee loves to sip.
The first, I will give for thy own dear sake;
The second, thou must to my rose-bush take.
I shall sleep sound in the silent tomb,
Before the beautiful bush will bloom;
But ask her the first fair rose to lay
On her lover’s grave, to fade away.
Give her the kiss I gave thee to keep,
And bid her come on my breast to sleep;
And, glowing flower, with sweetest breath,
Be thou our bridal torch in death!
THE EMIGRANT BOY.
’Tis lone on the waters,
When eve’s mournful bell,
Sends forth to the sunset
A note of farewell.
When, borne with the shadows
And winds, as they sweep,
There comes a fond memory
Of home o’er the deep.
Hemans.