The Strawberry

Breath of rosemary, honey-sweetness
Of the fig, the daisy scarlet,—
To the smell, the taste, the eyesight,
All are equally delightful.

Did they never, never mingle
All these graces—ne'er unite?
Look upon the ripen'd cherry,
It is red, and it is sweet;
Fragrant is the golden melon,
Fragrant nectar to the taste;
Roses are as fair as satin,
And their odours amber all;
But the rosemary, the daisy,
Fig and cherry, melon, rose,
All are marvellously united
In the lovely strawberry:
Beauteous to the eye its color,
Honey to the lips its taste,
And its breath is exquisite.

I will set thee, lovely Strawberry,
On the table of the Gods;
If thy tongue could find a language
Or a kiss, thou wouldst resemble
Lilla's ever-beauteous lips.