Welcome And Farewell.

Quick throbb'd my heart: to norse! haste, haste,     And lo! 'twas done with speed of light;     The evening soon the world embraced,     And o'er the mountains hung the night.     Soon stood, in robe of mist, the oak,     A tow'ring giant in his size,     Where darkness through the thicket broke,     And glared with hundred gloomy eyes.     From out a hill of clouds the moon     With mournful gaze began to peer:     The winds their soft wings flutter'd soon,     And murmur'd in mine awe-struck ear;     The night a thousand monsters made,     Yet fresh and joyous was my mind;     What fire within my veins then play'd!     What glow was in my bosom shrin'd!     I saw thee, and with tender pride     Felt thy sweet gaze pour joy on me;     While all my heart was at thy side.     And every breath I breath'd for thee.     The roseate hues that spring supplies     Were playing round thy features fair,     And love for me ye Deities!     I hoped it, I deserved it ne'er!     But, when the morning sun return'd,     Departure filled with grief my heart:     Within thy kiss, what rapture burn'd!     But in thy look, what bitter smart!     I went thy gaze to earth first roved     Thou follow'dst me with tearful eye:     And yet, what rapture to be loved!     And, Gods, to love what ecstasy!               [Another of the love-songs addressed to Frederica.]