Here in this gold-green evening end, br While air is soft and sky is clear, br What tender message shall I send br To her I hold so dear? br What rose of song with breath like myrrh, br And leaf of dew and fair pure beams br Shall I select and give to her— br The lady of my dreams? br Alas! the blossom I would take, br The song as sweet as Persian speech, br And carry for my lady’s sake, br Is not within my reach. br I have no perfect gift of words, br Or I would hasten now to send br A ballad full of tunes of birds br To please my lovely friend. br br But this pure pleasure is my own, br That I have power to waft away br A hope as bright as heaven’s zone br On this her natal day.