Rosenlied

I SAID to the rose, “ O rose!
What was it the nightingale sang?
For all night beneath my lattice
In the dusk his clear notes rang.”

Then the hue of the crimson rose
Was dyed a lovelier red,
And she trembled with passionate longing,
And drooped her gentle head.

“ Last night beside the lattice,
Before the white moon set,
Two stood within the shadow —
O heart! dost thou forget?

“ A kiss; and two hands close clinging
In a silent, long troth-plight, —
O heart, O heart, thou knowest
What the nightingale sang all night!”