A Lover’s Envy + 

I envy every flower that blows + 

Along the meadow where she goes, + 

And every bird that sings to her, + 

And every breeze that brings to her + 

The fragrance of the rose. + 

I envy every poet’s rhyme + 

That moves her heart at eventime, + 

And every tree that wears for her + 

Its brightest bloom, and bears for her + 

The fruitage of its prime. + 

I envy every Southern night + 

That paves her path with moonbeams white, + 

And silvers all the leaves for her, + 

And in their shadow weaves for her + 

A dream of dear delight. + 

I envy none whose love requires + 

Of her a gift, a task that tires: + 

I only long to live to her, + 

I only ask to give to her, + 

All that her heart desires. + 