The Quest

I.
First I asked the honey-bee,
Busy in the balmy bowers;
Saying, "Sweetheart, tell it me:
Have you seen her, honey-bee?
She is cousin to the flowers—
Wild-rose face and wild-rose mouth,
And the sweetness of the south."—
But it passed me silently.

II.
Then I asked the forest-bird,
Warbling to the woodland waters;
Saying, "Dearest, have you heard,
Have you heard her, forest-bird?
She is one of Music's daughters—
Music is her happy laugh;
Never song so sweet by half."—
But it answered not a word.

III.
Next I asked the evening sky,
Hanging out its lamps of fire;
Saying, "Loved one, passed she by?
Tell me, tell me, evening sky!
She, the star of my desire—
Planet-eyed and hair moon-glossed,
Sister whom the Pleiads lost."—
But it never made reply.

IV.
Where is she? ah, where is she?
She to whom both love and duty
Bind me, yea, immortally.—
Where is she? ah, where is she?
Symbol of the Earth-soul's beauty.
I have lost her. Help my heart
Find her, nevermore to part.—
Woe is me! ah, woe is me!