... Boys and girls
tumbling in the street, and playing, were moving jewels. I
knew not that they were born or should die....
The streets were mine, the temple was mine, the people
were mine, their clothes and gold and silver were mine, as
much as their sparkling eyes, fair skins and ruddy faces.
The skies were mine, and so were the sun and moon and stars;
and all the World was mine; and I the only spectator and
enjoyer of it.
Then:
News from a foreign country came,
As if my treasure and my wealth lay there;
So much it did my heart inflame,
'Twas wont to call my Soul into mine ear;
Which thither went to meet
The approaching sweet,
And on the threshold stood
To entertain the unknown Good....
What sacred instinct did inspire
My Soul in childhood with a hope to strong?
What secret force moved my desire
To expect new joys beyond the seas, so young?
Felicity I knew
Was out of view,
And being here alone,
I saw that happiness was gone
From me! For this
I thirsted absent bliss,
And thought that sure beyond the seas,
Or else in something near at hand--
I knew not yet (since naught did please
I knew) my Bliss did stand.
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