Authors

H. R. Bishop

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1859

Comments

The Leaf and the Fountain
H.R. Bishop

One of sixty-eight pieces bound in “The Shower of Pearls : A collection of the most beautiful duets, for two sopranos, soprano and alto, soprano and tenor, soprano and bass, and tenor and bass, arranged with an accompaniment for the piano-forte.”

Boston. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co. 277 Washington Street

Some of the resources may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. Such materials should be seen in the context of the time period and as a reflection of attitudes of the time. The items are part of the historical record, and do not represent the views of the libraries or the institution.

Lyrics

Tell me, kind Seer, I pray thee,
So may the stars obey thee,
So may each airy Moonelf and fairy,
nightly their homage pay thee,
Nightly their homage pay.
Say, by what spell, above, below,
In stars that wink, or flow'rs that blow,
I may discover e'er night is over,
Whether my love loves me or no,
Whether my love loves me.

Maiden, that dark tree nigh thee,
Hath charms no gold could buy thee;
Its stem enchanted,
By moonelves planted,
Will all thou seek'st supply thee,
Will all thou seek'st supply,
Climb to yon boughs that highest grow,
Bring thence their fairest leaf below,
And thou'lt discover e're night is over,
Whether thy love loves thee or no,
Whether thy love loves thee.

See, up the dark tree going,
Blossoms around me blowing,
From thence oh Father, this leaf I gather,
Fairest that there was growing,
Say, by what sign I now shall know
If in this leaf lies bliss or woe;
And thus discover ere night is over,
Whether my love loves me or no,
Whether my love loves me.

Fly to you fount that's welling
Where moonbeam ne'er had dwelling,
Dip in its water that leaf, oh Dayghter,
And mark the tale 'tis telling;
Watch thous if pale or bright it frow,
List thou, the while, that fountain's flow,
And thou'lt discover, whether thy lover,
Lov'd as he is, loves thee or no,
Lov'd as he is, loves thee.

Forth flew the nymph, delighted,
To seek that fount benighted:
But, scarce a minute the leaf lay in it,
When, lo, its bloom was blighted,
And as she asked, with voice of woe,
Listening, the while, that fountain's flow,
Shall I recover, my truant lover?
The fountain seem'd to answer "No",
The fountain answered "No".

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The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.