Old proverb

A. Foerster

Young Love lived once in an humble shed,

Where roses breathing

And woodbines wreathing

Around the lattice their tendrils spread,

As wild and sweet as the life he led.

His garden flourished,

For young Hope nourished

The infant buds with beams and showers;

But lips, through blooming, must be fed,

And not even Love can live on flowers.

Alas! that Poverty's evil eye

Should e'er come hither such sweets to wither!

The flowers laid down their head to die,

And Hope fell sick as the witch drew nigh.

She came one morning,

Ere Love had warning,

And raised the latch, where the young god lay;

"Oh ho!" said Love, "is it you? good bye;"

So he opened the window and flew away.