Narcissus

My garden lies slumb'ring

In sunny calm of noon,

The fountains sing faintly

their cool and soothing croon.

Soft breezes are kissing

Each flower's perfum'd lips,

While from a lily's chalice

A butterfly drowsily sips.

A flood of fragrance

Rises around me,

And drowns my senses,

Lost in dreams.

Breath of the rose,

Breath of the lilac

Mingle, and mount

On the vibrant air;

Yet, in the balmy current,

Born on the wings of Zephyr,

A scent, more witching

Than all the rest,

Wakes tender memories

In my breast:

'Tis Narcissus!

Dear, snow-petal'd blossom,

With heart of blood and gold,

Your perfume calls up visions

Of raptures untold.

I seem to dream

Of melodies wafting by,

That sob and throb,

Resembling a trembling sigh,

I hear a clear, sweet note afloat,

Re-echoing love-songs of old!