THERE'S a shade on my soul, And my heart is in dole From pearly day dawning till soft even air, With love for the white Fresh Flower of Delight, -- With love for the Maid of the fair-flowing hair. Her mind is a dove, And the wit of my love Is more supple and swift than a bird on the wing; More sweet is her mouth Than wine of the South, Or all the hill honey that Greek poets sing. To the dew-drops below Her golden curls flow, See, the flame of the berry her smooth cheek upon! In each little ear, That no picture could peer, There sparkles a jewel as bright as the sun. Over earth far and wide, Could I choose me a bride, And wed a rich daughter of royalty's line; Through life she could be But a sorrow to me -- For the Flower of the World has this poor heart of mine! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON A FAIR BEGGAR by PHILIP AYRES PALINGENESIS by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE LAND OF NOD by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON THE WEAVER'S APPRENTICE by AL-RUSAFI MY LOYAL LOVE by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS THOU LIGHT OF LIFE by BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX |