The Light Princess

"Light of spirit, by my charms, Light of body, every part, Never weary human arms-- Only crush thy parents' heart!"

"Lady fair, Swan-white, Lift thine eyes, Banish night By the might Of thine eyes.

Snowy arms, Oars of snow, Oar her hither, Plashing low. Soft and slow, Oar her hither.

Stream behind her O'er the lake, Radiant whiteness! In her wake Following, following for her sake. Radiant whiteness!

Cling about her, Waters blue; Part not from her, But renew Cold and true Kisses round her.

Lap me round, Waters sad, That have left her. Make me glad, For ye had Kissed her ere ye left her."

"Death alone from death can save. Love is death, and so is brave-- Love can fill the deepest grave. Love loves on beneath the wave."

"As a world that has no well, Darting bright in forest dell; As a world without the gleam Of the downward-going stream; As a world without the glance Of the ocean's fair expanse; As a world where never rain Glittered on the sunny plain;-- Such, my heart, thy world would be, if no love did flow in thee.

As a world without the sound Of the rivulets underground; Or the bubbling of the spring Out of darkness wandering; Or the mighty rush and flowing Of the river's downward going; Or the music-showers that drop On the outspread beech's top; Or the ocean's mighty voice, When his lifted waves rejoice;-- Such, my soul, thy world would be, if no love did sing in thee.

Lady, keep thy world's delight; Keep the waters in thy sight. Love hath made me strong to go, For thy sake, to realms below, Where the water's shine and hum Through the darkness never come; Let, I pray, one thought of me Spring, a little well, in thee; Lest thy loveless soul be found Like a dry and thirsty ground."