From the Arabic: An Imitation

From the Arabic: An Imitation by Percy Bysshe Shelley

My faint spirit was sitting in the light
      Of thy looks, my love;
  It panted for thee like the hind at noon
      For the brooks, my love.
Thy barb, whose hoofs outspeed the tempest's flight,
      Bore thee far from me;
  My heart, for my weak feet were weary soon,
      Did companion thee.
 
Ah! fleeter far than fleetest storm or steed,
      Or the death they bear,
  The heart which tender thought clothes like a dove
      With the wings of care;
In the battle, in the darkness, in the need,
      Shall mine cling to thee,
  Nor claim one smile for all the comfort, love,
      It may bring to thee.

This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.