I see her still--by her fair train surrounded, <br /> The fairest of them all, she took her place; <br />Afar I stood, by her bright charms confounded, <br /> For, oh! they dazzled with their heavenly grace. <br />With awe my soul was filled--with bliss unbounded, <br /> While gazing on her softly radiant face; <br />But soon, as if up-borne on wings of fire, <br />My fingers 'gan to sweep the sounding lyre. <br /> <br />The thoughts that rushed across me in that hour, <br /> The words I sang, I'd fain once more invoke; <br />Within, I felt a new-awakened power, <br /> That each emotion of my bosom spoke. <br />My soul, long time enchained in sloth's dull bower, <br /> Through all its fetters now triumphant broke, <br />And brought to light unknown, harmonious numbers, <br />Which in its deepest depths, had lived in slumbers. <br /> <br />And when the chords had ceased their gentle sighing, <br /> And when my soul rejoined its mortal frame, <br />I looked upon her face and saw love vieing, <br /> In every feature, with her maiden shame. <br />And soon my ravished heart seemed heavenward flying, <br /> When her soft whisper o'er my senses came. <br />The blissful seraphs' choral strains alone <br />Can glad mine ear again with that sweet tone, <br /> <br />Of that fond heart, which, pining silently, <br /> Ne'er ventures to express its feelings lowly, <br />The real and modest worth is known to me-- <br /> 'Gainst cruel fate I'll guard its cause so holy. <br />Most blest of all, the meek one's lot shall be-- <br /> Love's flowers by love's own hand are gathered solely-- <br />The fairest prize to that fond heart is due, <br />That feels it, and that beats responsive, too!<br /><br />Friedrich Schiller<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-meeting-4/
