Welcome and Farewell
[Another of the love-songs addressed to Frederica.]
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[165]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[166]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[167]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[168]！
1771.