To A Fair Woman

I’ve calmly lived my sunny little life Under the crinkling glass, and free from strife; The sky above and all around is blue, And from this haven now I come to you.

Fair Lady, tell me have I heard aright That other flowers do not live so bright? That in dark forests and by noisy streams The pale wood violet sheds its purple beams?

While we are merry in this fireside glow My humble cousin shivers in the snow; And yet a cricket whispered once to me That I the captive was--my cousin, free!

Sometimes I’ve dreamed the cricket told me true; I’ve longed for freedom and the pleasing view Of moss-grown hummocks and great whispering trees, With gold-winged songsters humming in the breeze.

The dream is over--I have lived my day Nourished in sun with other violets gay; And now I’m borne afar to Paradise, To find my haven in your gentle eyes.

If I may touch your lips I’ll die content Without one glimpse of freedom or days spent In woodland dells; oh, murmur, while I fade, Your own sweet mem’ries of the forest glade!

Come, tell me quickly, for my brief hours pass; What! You too captive in a house of glass?