Songs of youth II

When the evening wind caresses the elder tree

And the moth the jasmine branch,

Then I caress my sweetheart as well,

On the stone bench, shadowy and soft with moss.

And when from the village comes the sound of bells,

And the lark's jubilant evening prayer,

Then we fall silent and our souls dissolve

From Love's sacred, divine power.

And then from the heavens gaze a host of stars,

And the glow-worms appear in the lily's lap;

Then I let my arms fall,

And kiss her two eyes as we part.