Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

To Lida

THE only one whom, Lida, thou canst love, Thou claim'st, and rightly claim'st, for only thee; He too is wholly thine; since doomed to rove Far from thee, in life's turmoils nought I see Save a thin veil, through which thy form I view, As though in clouds; with kindly smile and true, It cheers me, like the stars eterne that gleam Across the northern-lights' far-flick'ring beam.