The Nightingale and the Rose

           ShesaidthatshewoulddancewithmeifIbroughtherredroses,"criedtheyoungStudent;"butinallmygardenthereisnoredrose."

           Fromhernestintheholm-oaktreetheNightingaleheardhim,andshelookedoutthroughtheleaves,andwondered.

           "Noredroseinallmygarden!"hecried,andhisbeautifuleyesfilledwithtears."Ah,onwhatlittlethingsdoeshappinessdepend!Ihavereadallthatthewisemenhavewritten,andallthesecretsofphilosophyaremine,yetforwantofaredroseismylifemadewretched."

           "Hereatlastisatruelover,"saidtheNightingale."NightafternighthaveIsungofhim,thoughIknewhimnot:nightafternighthaveItoldhisstorytothestars,andnowIseehim.Hishairisdarkasthehyacinth-blossom,andhislipsareredastheroseofhisdesire;butpassionhasmadehisfacelikepaleivory,andsorrowhassethersealuponhisbrow."

           "ThePrincegivesaballto-morrownight,"murmuredtheyoungStudent,"andmylovewillbeofthecompany.IfIbringheraredroseshewilldancewithmetilldawn.IfIbringheraredrose,Ishallholdherinmyarms,andshewillleanherheaduponmyshoulder,andherhandwillbeclaspedinmine.Butthereisnoredroseinmygarden,soIshallsitlonely,andshewillpassmeby.Shewillhavenoheedofme,andmyheartwillbreak."

           "Hereindeedisthetruelover,"saidtheNightingale."WhatIsingof,hesuffers:whatisjoytome,tohimispain.SurelyLoveisawonderfulthing.