The Lily and the Dewdrop

by A.W. Schack von Staffeldt
Translated by Torben K. Jensen

From a farewell smile outshun the Sun
A falling drop into the lily's bosom
  As if by yearning angels wept;
Then the flower abruptly shut,
And the drop, forsaken and forgot
  Found itself in Earthly prison kept.

"Welcome! O greeted be!
Now, dear, you must stay with me
  The lily, so eager to console!
And I promise to forever love you,
If you say that you will love me too,
  Like the senses love the soul."

"No! I cannot stay! Oh nay!
'mong clouds alone I find my way,
  I linger here but shortly yet:
Mirror lofty skies I must do,
Emerse myself in ether blue,
  Above the land with hills beset."

"O fair son of purest Heaven, thee!
Please heed a blameless lily's plea;
  Be the affected one's felicity!
O Pearl of the sea, vaulted thus
Became transparent all around us,
  Be innocence's most brilliant jewelry!"

"Stop tempting me, I say, be still!
Your nocturnal dome it will
  Soon in the Sun again unfold;
A morning ray shall then descend
And me to Heaven's splendor send
  From mortal petals cold."

The Sun came back. With infant's haste
When long missed father's smile is faced,
  Flees the drop to its throne.
A moment stands the lily ere it tires,
A sigh it heaves and then expires
  Dissolved and monochrome.

But to rainy color wreath of height,
To Moon-veil's silver sheen at night
  The drop was gloriously sworn;
Still soon in angel's cup it ran
From sight devout in temple's span,
  And was to Heaven borne.