Charles Godfrey Leland

To Paradise, the Arabs say,
Satan could never find the way
Until the peacock led him in.

To Paradise, the Arabs say,
Satan could never find the way
Until the peacock led him in.

It was the noise
Of ancient trees falling while all was still
Before the storm, in the read more

It was the noise
Of ancient trees falling while all was still
Before the storm, in the long interval
Between the gathering clouds and that light breeze
Which Germans call the Wind's bride.

Great albatross!--the meanest birds
Spring up and flit away,
While thou must toil to gain a flight,
read more

Great albatross!--the meanest birds
Spring up and flit away,
While thou must toil to gain a flight,
And spread those pinions grey;
But when they once are fairly poised,
Far o'er each chirping thing
Thou sailest wide to other lands,
E'en sleeping on the wing.

I pray your Highness mark this curious herb:
Touch it but lightly, stroke it softly, Sir,
And read more

I pray your Highness mark this curious herb:
Touch it but lightly, stroke it softly, Sir,
And it gives forth an odor sweet and rare;
But crush it harshly and you'll make a scent
Most disagreeable.

Jas in the Arab language is despair,
And Min the darkest meaning of a lie.
Thus cried read more

Jas in the Arab language is despair,
And Min the darkest meaning of a lie.
Thus cried the Jessamine among the flowers,
How justly doth a lie
Draw on its head despair!
Among the fragrant spirits of the bowers
The boldest and the strongest still was I.
Although so fair,
Therefore from Heaven
A stronger perfume unto me was given
Than any blossom of the summer hours.