Amor Coelestis

I have a longing to be free; The soul that in me hides Its mouldering fires, unwillingly Its day of liberation bides. Clouds, that above the flowery earth Float onward in the air, Rejoice as each day hath its birth, They hurry on they list not where. Birds, that along their gladsome way Flutter in wavy flight, Pipe in their arbours all the day, And rest upon their branch at night; Stars, like a fleet of glittering sail On the upper ocean driven, At the western haven never fail To cease from earth and enter heaven; And then forth issuing from the east, When night--winds softly blow, They ride in order bright and blest, Their clustered myriads none may know: Only this breath of life divine May not escape away, Nor move in the gold rays that shine Around the blessed eye of day. Only this bird of sweetest strain Must hide its notes in gloom; Only this purest flower from stain In secret places veil its bloom. Only this star of clearest light Hath not its course above; But, undistinguished from the night, It dwells on earth, and wins no love.