A Youth, light-hearted and content, br I wander through the world br Here, Arab-like, is pitched my tent br And straight again is furled. br br Yet oft I dream, that once a wife br Close in my heart was locked, br And in the sweet repose of life br A blessed child I rocked. br br I wake! Away that dream,--away! br Too long did it remain! br So long, that both by night and day br It ever comes again. br br The end lies ever in my thought; br To a grave so cold and deep br The mother beautiful was brought; br Then dropt the child asleep. br br But now the dream is wholly o'er, br I bathe mine eyes and see; br And wander through the world once more, br A youth so light and free. br br Two locks--and they are wondrous fair-- br Left me that vision mild; br The brown is from the mother's hair, br The blond is from the child. br br And when I see that lock of gold, br Pale grows the evening-red; br And when the dark lock I behold, br I wish that I were dead.