From an old garden (six songs) , opus 26

O dainty Pansy! hooded all in blue,
    With chastely folding cloak of green, 
A maid whom Eros never knew,
    Nor Love has Seen! 
I yet must fancy, scarce dreamt by thee
    That 'neath thy most discreetest thought 
    There lurks a will which may be taught 
           By Love - and me! 

Its clinging, mournful leaves, I said,
Seem made to thatch a grave;
Around the roots of cypress trees,
Too deep in gloom for sun or breeze,
It lives to mourn the dead!
But when I kissed her name, I saw,
Above the dear, dead maid,
A starry flower of tender blue,
A bit of heaven, shining through
The leaves upon her grave!

O ruddy Lover! O brave red Clover!
Didst think to win her Thou dost adore?
She will not love thee, She looks above thee,
The Daisy's gold doth move her more.
 
If gold can win her,
So leave the Sinner,
And sigh no more!

What's his heart Sweetheart, Sweetheart!
What's his heart?
Very often I've been told
Of his yellow shining gold
But the gold's the smallest part
Of love, Sweetheart, Sweetheart!
Of a happy love, Sweetheart!
 
Is it true, my dear, is it true
That his heart's a rusty brown?
Nay my sweetheart do not frown,
Better know it's brown and sere,
Now than when too late, My dear, my dear
When too late, My dear!

In love she fell, 
My shy Bluebell,
With a strolling Bumble Bee;
He whispered low, 
"I love you so!
Sweet, give your heart to me!
I love but you, 
And I'll be true,
O give me your heart,
your heart, I pray!"
She bent her head,
"I will!" she said,
When lo! he flew away.

A dame of high degree
Is she, is she,
The gentle Migninette,
And at her side,
In honest pride,
Stands my sweet Bouncing Bet.
Her kerchief folded neat,
And sweet,
Her bodice rosy-red,
My heart she holds,
In its soft folds,
And yet--we do not wed!

For once I raised mine eye
Too high I loved fair Mignonette!
She never knew,
She thought me true
To humble Bouncing Bet.
Sweet hopeless Love, if wise
Soon dies
And "here's a maid," I said,
"She's lovely fair,
And waits, I swear"
And yet I do not wed!