Ah Sunflower
Ah Sunflower, weary of time, / Who countest the steps of the sun;
Earth raised up her head
From the darkness dread and drear,
Her light fled,
Stony, dread,
And her locks covered with grey despair.
Prisoned on watery shore,
Starry jealousy does keep my den
Cold and hoar;
Weeping o're,
I hear the father of the ancient men.
Selfish father of men!
Cruel, jealous, selfish fear!
Can delight,
Chained in night,
The virgins of youth and morning bear?
Does spring hide its joy,
When buds and blossoms grow?
Does the sower
Sow by night,
Or the plowman in darkness plough?
Break this heavy chain,
That does freeze my bones around!
Selfish, vain,
Eternal bane,
That free love with bondage bound.
Ah Sunflower, weary of time, / Who countest the steps of the sun;
I dreamt a dream! What can it mean? / And that I was a maiden Queen
1 I saw a chapel all of gold / 2 That none did dare to enter in,
A little black thing in the snow, / Crying "weep! weep!" in notes of woe!