Ever Maiden

I shall be ever maiden, Ever the little child, In my passionate quest for the lovely, By earth’s glad wonder beguiled.

I shall be ever maiden, Standing in soul apart, For the Gods give the secret of beauty Alone to the virgin heart.

CLËIS

Daughter of mine, so fair, With a form like a golden flower, Wherefore thy pensive air And the dreams in the myrtle bower?

Clëis, beloved, thy eyes That are turned from my gaze, thy hand That trembles so, I prize More than all the Lydian land;

More than the lovely hills With the Lesbian olive crowned;-- Tell me, darling, what ills In the gloom of thy thought are found?

Daughter of mine, come near And thy head on my knees recline; Whisper and never fear, For the beat of thy heart is mine.

Sweet mother, I can turn With content to my loom no more; My bosom throbs, I yearn For a youth that my eyes adore;

Lykas of Eresus, Whom I knew when a little child; My heart by Love is thus With the sweetest of pain beguiled.