Page:Poems Whitney.djvu/98

And, to keep it ever in sight,
Wrote in my heart upon that day
The story of sweet Undine;
Who roamed at will the idle air,
Empty, alas! of thought and care,
Till love came, with the old surprise
Of a soul for the elfin eyes.

Better than praise thy tale doth move,
Poet, that singest so well of love!
Thanks, for all that on the earth
Seek the sign of the second birth!
Accept the gratitude I pay,
Thinking of this our Undine.
What Love creates, Love best can teach;
And as we would that she should reach
Upward, from fruitful hour to hour,
To purity, and sight, and power,
So we would lead her heart to know
The love of all things, high and low;