When, wandering in Hungaria's land,
I sought a firm and friendly hand
To guide me through the path unknown—
I, 'midst the Magyar Muses' throng,
Leading the Magyar sons of song,
Heard—would I could resound!—thine own.
.mw-parser-output .nowrap,.mw-parser-output .nowrap a:before,.mw-parser-output .nowrap .selflink:before{white-space:nowrap}J. B.
Enthusiast. "Is't thus?
And if not thus, say how?
For a wild fire is burning in my bosom,
Which I can quench not—which I cannot guide.
I strive to build the fair—to build the fairest
Upon the wise—as thou would teach me; I
Would blend my spirit and my heart in one,
Making my hymn both beautiful and strong;
That it may teach—and teaching, may transport
With ecstacy. I ask, with prayerful tear,
My way to fame's bright goal: thou hast the crown—
Teach me to win and wear it—I beseech thee,
With passionate longings I beseech thee—say,
Say—thus? Ah, no! 'tis sweet—but not successful.
I cannot reach the bourn—and life to me
Is melancholy waste of life!"
Philos. "Give thy feelings ample room,
Time shall soon disperse their gloom.
When bound in snows the wild-stream leaves its bed
Murmuring; and as it maddens bears along
Rocks, mud, and forest-branches, cans't thou see
Young flowers, and the blue heaven upon its face?
Thou turns't away in sadness from its waves
So troubled—for 'tis purity that charms.
And quiet. Think on this, and be at rest.
The muse is a soft maiden, whose bright wand,
Whose odorous ringlets, flinging light around,
Thy lips may kiss. She is not wooed by fierceness,
But turns, deep blushing, to her own sweet self,
From the wild turbulent grasp of stormy thought.
"Glow—but glow not with blind and savage heat;
Approach, with gentleness, and she will wake
Her own responses from thy feeling breast;
Her bright eye will enkindle loveliest light,
Thy soul transporting. Gently, gently come,
And she shall press thee to her breast—that breast
So soft, so warm—and gently kiss her lips;
Her breath shall then impregnate thee—her fires
Bear thee aloft above a thousand stars,
And summon from thy soul harmonious songs."