I.
Since you have waned from us, Fairest of women!
I am a darkened cage Song cannot hymn in.
My songs have followed you, Like birds the summer;
Ah! bring them back to me, Swiftly, dear comer!
Seraphim, Her to hymn, Might leave their portals;
And at my feet learn The harping of mortals!
II.
Where wings to rustle use, But this poor tarrier -
Searching my spirit's eaves -
Find I for carrier.
Ah! bring them back to me Swiftly, sweet comer!
Swift, swift, and bring with you Song's Indian summer!
Seraphim, Her to hymn, Might leave their portals;
And at my feet learn The harping of mortals!
III.
Whereso your angel is, My angel goeth;
I am left guardianless, Paradise knoweth!
I have no Heaven left To weep my wrongs to;
Heaven, when you went from us;
Went with my songs too.
Seraphim, Her to hymn, Might leave their portals;
And at my feet learn The harping of mortals!
IV.
I have no angels left Now, Sweet, to pray to:
Where you have made your shrine They are away to.
They have struck Heaven's tent, And gone to cover you:
Whereso you keep your state Heaven is pitched over you!
Seraphim, Her to hymn, Might leave their portals;
And at my feet learn The harping of mortals!
V.
She that is Heaven's Queen Her title borrows, For that she pitiful Beareth our sorrows.
So thou, Regina mi, Spes infirmorum;
With all our grieving crowned Mater dolorum!
Seraphim, Her to hymn, Might leave their portals;
And at my feet learn The harping of mortals!
VI.
Yet, envious coveter Of other's grieving!
This lonely longing yet 'Scapeth your reaving.
Cruel! to take from a Sinner his Heaven!
Think you with contrite smiles To be forgiven?
Seraphim, Her to hymn, Might leave their portals;
And at my feet learn The harping of mortals!
VII.
Penitent! give me back Angels, and Heaven;
Render your stolen self, And be forgiven!
How frontier Heaven from you?
For my soul prays, Sweet, Still to your face in Heaven, Heaven in your face, Sweet!
Seraphim, Her to hymn, Might leave their portals;
And at my feet learn The harping of mortals!
