Beside the brook the boy reclined <br /> And wove his flowery wreath, <br /> And to the waves the wreath consigned-- <br /> The waves that danced beneath. <br /> "So fleet mine hours," he sighed, "away <br /> Like waves that restless flow: <br /> And so my flowers of youth decay <br /> Like those that float below." <br /> <br /> "Ask not why I, alone on earth, <br /> Am sad in life's young time; <br /> To all the rest are hope and mirth <br /> When spring renews its prime. <br /> Alas! the music Nature makes, <br /> In thousand songs of gladness-- <br /> While charming all around me, wakes <br /> My heavy heart to sadness." <br /> <br /> "Ah! vain to me the joys that break <br /> From spring, voluptuous are; <br /> For only one 't is mine to seek-- <br /> The near, yet ever far! <br /> I stretch my arms, that shadow-shape <br /> In fond embrace to hold; <br /> Still doth the shade the clasp escape-- <br /> The heart is unconsoled!" <br /> <br /> "Come forth, fair friend, come forth below, <br /> And leave thy lofty hall, <br /> The fairest flowers the spring can know <br /> In thy dear lap shall fall! <br /> Clear glides the brook in silver rolled, <br /> Sweet carols fill the air; <br /> The meanest hut hath space to hold <br /> A happy loving pair!"<br /><br />Friedrich Schiller<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-youth-by-the-brook/
