Darling, accept my bunch of perfumed roses;—
Because in royal beauty and in freshness sweet
They dared to rival you,—I cut them down and bound
The criminals and brought them to your feet.
From the Georgian of Prince Tschawtschawadze.
THE STARS
With joy in your heart and a smile on your lips
You admired the soft Southern night,
And do you know when your beautiful eyes
Were remarked, all the stars at the sight
Were put out and turned faint in the skies?
This morning they brought their complaint to the sun—
"In ether a star quite unknown!
If to-night this same comet shall shine
Whose radiance extinguished our own,
We must all, our old splendor resign!"
And sadly the sun made them answer,—"Alas!
Before her, I am pale at high noon;—
See, to-day all is rainy and cold,
'Tis the trace of defeat seen so soon,
'Tis the trace of eclipse you behold!"
* * * * *
O happy the being whose life from afar
Shall be lighted by such a lode star!
From the Caucasian of Prince Oberlaine.