Maidenhood

Do I long for maidenhood?
   Do I long for days
When upon the mountain slope
   I would stand and gaze
Over the Ægean’s blue
   Melting into mist,
Ere with love my virgin lips
   Cercolas had kissed?

Maidenhood, O maidenhood,
   Whither hast thou flown?
To a land beyond the sea
   Thou hast never known.
Maidenhood, O maidenhood,
   Wilt return to me?
Never will my bloom again
   Give its grace to thee.

Now the autumn skies are low,
   Youth and summer sped;
Shepherd hills are far away,
   Cercolas is dead.
Mitylene’s marble courts
   Echo with my name;—
Maidenhood, we never dreamed,
   Long ago of fame.