Within a vale, each infant year, <br /> When earliest larks first carol free, <br /> To humble shepherds cloth appear <br /> A wondrous maiden, fair to see. <br /> Not born within that lowly place-- <br /> From whence she wandered, none could tell; <br /> Her parting footsteps left no trace, <br /> When once the maiden sighed farewell. <br /> <br /> And blessed was her presence there-- <br /> Each heart, expanding, grew more gay; <br /> Yet something loftier still than fair <br /> Kept man's familiar looks away. <br /> From fairy gardens, known to none, <br /> She brought mysterious fruits and flowers-- <br /> The things of some serener sun-- <br /> Some Nature more benign than ours. <br /> <br /> With each her gifts the maiden shared-- <br /> To some the fruits, the flowers to some; <br /> Alike the young, the aged fared; <br /> Each bore a blessing back to home. <br /> Though every guest was welcome there, <br /> Yet some the maiden held more dear, <br /> And culled her rarest sweets whene'er <br /> She saw two hearts that loved draw near.<br /><br />Friedrich Schiller<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-maiden-from-afar/
