To Julio Cæsar Caracciola

Julio! when weeping I have left the friend That never leaves my thought, the better part Of my cleft soul, that like another heart Did life and strength to my existence lend, After my sum of bliss I seem to send An eye of strict inquiry, and so fast Find it consuming, that I fear at last Peace must depart, and ev'n existence end. And in this fear my tongue strives to converse With thee, dear friend, of that remembered day, When I began, sad wanderer to thy shrine Of beauty, from my own far, far away, News of thy soul to send in plaintive verse, And learn from thee intelligence of mine.