Secrets Divulged

Two lovers kiss each other in the meadows; They think that no one sees the fond betrayal, But the green meadows see them, and are faithless; To the white flocks incontinent they say all; And the white flocks proclaim it to the shepherd, The shepherd to a high-road traveller brings it; He to a sailor on the restless ocean tells it, The sailor to his spice-ship thoughtless sings it; The spice-ship whispers it upon the waters, The waters rush to tell the maiden’s mother.

And thus impassioned spoke the lovely maiden— “Meadows! of spring-days never see another! Flocks! may the cruel ravenous wolves destroy ye. Thee, shepherd! may the cruel Moslem slaughter. Wanderer! may oft thy slippery footsteps stumble. Thee, sailor! may the ocean billows smother. Ship! may a fire unquenchable consume thee; And sink into the earth, thou treacherous water!”