She sought to breathe one word, but vainly; <br /> Too many listeners were nigh; <br />And yet my timid glance read plainly <br /> The language of her speaking eye. <br />Thy silent glades my footstep presses, <br /> Thou fair and leaf-embosomed grove! <br />Conceal within thy green recesses <br /> From mortal eye our sacred love! <br /> <br />Afar with strange discordant noises, <br /> The busy day is echoing; <br />And 'mid the hollow hum of voices, <br /> I hear the heavy hammer ring. <br />'Tis thus that man, with toil ne'er ending <br /> Extorts from heaven his daily bread; <br />Yet oft unseen the Gods are sending <br /> The gifts of fortune on his head! <br /> <br />Oh, let mankind discover never <br /> How true love fills with bliss our hearts <br />They would but crush our joy forever, <br /> For joy to them no glow imparts. <br />Thou ne'er wilt from the world obtain it-- <br /> 'Tis never captured save as prey; <br />Thou needs must strain each nerve to gain it, <br /> E'er envy dark asserts her sway. <br /> <br />The hours of night and stillness loving, <br /> It comes upon us silently-- <br />Away with hasty footstep moving <br /> Soon as it sees a treacherous eye. <br />Thou gentle stream, soft circlets weaving, <br /> A watery barrier cast around, <br />And, with thy waves in anger heaving, <br /> Guard from each foe this holy ground!<br /><br />Friedrich Schiller<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-secret-5/
