Poems of Madison Cawein Vol. 3 — The Quest

I

First I asked the honey-bee, Busy in the balmy bowers;

Saying, “Sweetheart, tell it me: Have you seen her, honey-bee?

She is cousin to the flowers-- All the sweetness of the south In her wild-rose face and mouth.

”-- But the bee passed silently.

II

Then I asked the forest-bird, Warbling by the woodland waters;

Saying, “Dearest, have you heard, Have you heard her, forest-bird?

She is one of Music’s daughters-- Never song so sweet by half As the music of her laugh.

”-- But the bird said not a word.

III

Next I asked the evening-sky, Hanging out its lamps of fire;

Saying, “Loved one, passed she by?

Tell me, tell me, evening-sky!

She, the star of my desire-- Sister whom the Pleiads lost, And my soul’s high pentecost.

”-- But the sky made no reply.

IV

Where is she?

ah, where is she?

She to whom both love and duty Bind me, yea, immortally.

-- Where is she?

ah, where is she?

Symbol of the Earth-soul’s beauty.

I have lost her.

Help my heart Find her!

her, who is a part Of the pagan soul of me!