From Real and Ideal by John William Weidemeyer (Philadelphia: Frederick Leypoldt, 1865):


ON WINGS OF SONG AND MUSIC.

ON wings of song and music,
Beloved, I'd waft thee away,
To the flowering banks of Ganges,
Forever blooming and gay.

Its floral realm shall receive thee,
Illumed by the silent moon;
There the lotus flowers are longing
To greet their companion soon.

There violets nod and flutter,
Or gaze on the stars above;
And roses, with eloquent fragrance,
Recount their legends of love.

Within the spice-groves are lurking
The innocent, cunning gazelles;
And distant is heard the rushing
Of the holy tide, as it swells.

Under the palm will we linger,
Housed from the open skies,
In raptures of love and contentment—
Dreaming with open eyes.