“See me—­steam in the distance!”

     “O remember, remember!”

          And the flowers moan.

Seelchen. [In grief] My heart!  It is torn!

The wine horn.  With me, little soul, you shall race in the streets. and peep at all secrets.  We will hold hands, and fly like the thistle-down.

M. Dandelion.  My puff-balls fly faster!

The wine horn.  I will show you the sea.

Gentian.  My blue is deeper!

The wine horn.  I will shower on you blushes.

ALPENROSE.  I can blush redder!

The wine horn.  Little soul, listen!  My Jewels!  Silk!  Velvet!

Edelweiss.  I am softer than velvet!

The wine horn. [Proudly] My wonderful rags!

The flowers. [Moaning] Of those we have none.

Seelchen.  He has all things.

The cow horn.  Mine are the clouds with the dark silvered wings; mine are the rocks on fire with the sun; and the dewdrops cooler than pearls.  Away from my breath of snow and sweet grass, thou wilt droop, little soul.

The wine horn.  The dark Clove is my fragrance!

          Theflowers ring eagerly, and turning up their faces, cry: 

     “We too, smell sweet.”

          But the voices of view of Italy, Flume of steam, and things
          in books cry out: 

     “I am Italy!  Italy!”

     “See me—­steam in the distance!”

     “O remember! remember!”

Seelchen. [Distracted] Oh! it is hard!

The cow horn.  I will never desert thee.

The wine horn.  A hundred times I will desert you, a hundred times come back, and kiss you.

Seelchen. [Whispering] Peace for my heart!

The cow horn.  With me thou shalt lie on the warm wild thyme.

          Theflowers laugh happily.

The wine horn.  With me you shall lie on a bed of dove’s feathers.

          Theflowers moan.

The wine horn.  I will give you old wine.

The cow horn.  I will give thee new milk.

The wine horn.  Hear my song!

          From far away comes the sound as of mandolins.

Seelchen. [Clasping her breast] My heart—­it is leaving me!

The cow horn.  Hear my song!

          From the distance floats the piping of a Shepherd’s reed.

Seelchen. [Curving her hand at her ears] The piping!  Ah!