519 
THE CAPTIVE AND THE FLOWERS. 
VIOLET. 
I stand concealed, and bending low, 
And do not love to speak ; 
Yet will I, as ’tis fitting now, 
My wonted silence break. 
For if ’tis I, thou gallant man, 
Thy heart desires, thine, if I can, 
My perfumes all I’ll make. 
• 
CAPTIVE. 
The Violet I esteem indeed, 
So modest and so kind ; 
Its fragrance sweet yet more I need, 
To soothe mine anguished mind. 
To you the truth will I confess ; 
Here, ’mid this rocky dreariness, 
My love I ne’er shall find. 
The truest wife by yonder brook 
Will roam the mournful day, . 
And hither cast the anxious look, 
Long as immured I stay. 
Whene’er she breaks a small blue flower, 
And says, “Forget me not! ” the power 
I feel, though far away. 
Yes, e’en though far, I feel its might, 
For true love joins us twain, 
And therefore ’mid the dungeon’s night 
I still in life remain. 
And sinks my heart at my hard lot, 
I but exclaim, “Forget me not! ” 
And straight new life regain. 
