Poems (Waldenburg)/A Love Song

For works with similar titles, see Love Song.

A LOVE SONG. ALTMEYER.

Maiden mine, Maiden mine, Oh, say to me,
What flower would'st choose, could'st thou a flower be—
A Tulip? "No, for perfume hath it none,
Its only aim to coquet with the sun,
And flaunt its gaudy robes that all may see.
Ah, no! Thy maiden loveth modesty!"

Maiden mine, Maiden mine, O, say to me,
What flower would'st choose, could'st thou a flower be—
A Rose? "Ah no—though beauteous in its bloom
While from its blushing heart steals sweet perfume;
Yet when I'd pluck, my finger's flesh is torn!
Ah, cruel rose—I cannot love its thorn!"

Maiden mine, Maiden mine, Oh, say to me,
What flower would'st choose, could'st thou a flower be—
A Lily? "No—for stately, pale and proud,
It lifts its haughty head above the crowd
As if it said "my pride and purity
Crown me the fairest of all lowers that be."

Maiden mine, Maiden mine, Oh, say to me,
What flower would'st choose, could'st thou a flower be—
A violet, then? O now, thou sayest true,
It has no thorns or pride, but modest, true,
By a fond lover given, is fragrant pressed
With treasured thoughts, upon a maiden's breast!"

Ah, maiden mine, hadst thou asked me,
In flower life what flower I'd be
Which one to name, I'd scarce have known;
But now thy words a flower crown
W hose happy fate o'ershines the rest!
I'd be that flower one blissful hour,
Then gladly die on Beauty's breast!