Queen of my tub, I merrily sing,

The waves at its feetDancing merrily.A little bubbleOnce came sailing by,And thus to the rockDid it gayly cry,–‘Ho! clumsy brown stone,Quick, make way for me:I’m the fairest thingThat floats on the sea.‘See my rainbow-robe,See my crown of light,My glittering form,So airy and bright.‘O’er the waters blue,I’m floating away,To dance by the shoreWith the foam and…

On the rippling waves, that brightly flowBeneath the flowering vines.Awake! Awake! for the low, sweet chantOf the wild-birds’ morning hymnComes floating by on the fragrant air,Through the forest cool and dim;Then spread each wing,And work, and sing,Through the long, bright sunny hours;O’er the pleasant earthWe journey forth,For a day among the flowers.Awake! Awake! for the…

Born of roses, fed on dew,Charms and potions canst thou brew?Bring me here, with elfin speed,The fragrant philter which I need.Make it sweet and swift and strong,Spirit, answer now my song!* * * * *Hither I come,From my airy home,Afar in the silver moon.Take the magic spell,And use it well,Or its power will vanish soon!

Of beautiful spring flowers;The big red roseIs for your nose,As toward the sky it towers.‘Oh, do not frownUpon this crownOf green pinks and blue geraniumBut think of meWhen this you see,And put it on your cranium.’

Where green old trees their branches waved,And winds went singing by;Where a little brook went ripplingSo musically low,And passing clouds cast shadowsOn the waving grass below;Where low, sweet notes of brooding birdsStole out on the fragrant air,And golden sunlight shone undimmedOn all most fresh and fair;–There bloomed a lovely sisterhoodOf happy little flowers,Together in this…

Around it wistful sunbeams quiver,But Music’s airy voice is fled.Spring mourns as for untimely frost;The bluebird chants a requiem;The willow-blossom waits for him;The Genius of the wood is lost.’Then from the flute, untouched by hands,There came a low, harmonious breath:‘For such as he there is no death;His life the eternal life commands;Above man’s aims his…