ur　pitcher　and　e　home。

The　Gardener 24

Do　not　keep　to　yourself　the　secret　of　your　heart；　my　friend！

Say　it　to　me；　only　to　me；　in　secret。

You　who　smile　so　gently；　softly　whisper；　my　heart　will　hear　it；　not　my　ears。

The　night　is　deep；　the　house　is　silent；　the　birds’　nests　are　surrounded　with　sleep。

Speak　to　me　through　hesitating　tears；　through　faltering　smiles；　through　sweet　shame　and　pain；　the　secret　of　your　heart！

The　Gardener 25

“e　to　us；　youth；　tell　us　truly　why　there　is　madness　in　your　eyes？”

“I　know　not　what　wine　of　wild　poppy　I　have　drunk；　that　there　is　this　madness　in　my　eyes。”

“Ah；　shame！”

“Well；　some　are　wise　and　some　foolish；　some　are　watchful　and　some　careless。

There　are　eyes　that　smile　and　eyes　that　weep—and　madness　is　in　my　eyes。”

“Youth；　why　do　you　stand　so　still　under　the　shadow　of　the　tree？”

“My　feet　are　languid　with　the　burden　of　my　heart；　and　I　stand　still　in　the　shadow。”

“Ah；　shame！”

“Well；　some　march　on　their　way　and　some　linger；　some　are　free　and　some　are　fettered—and　my　feet　are　languid　with　the　burden　of　my　heart。”

The　Gardener 26

“What　es　from　your　willing　hands　I　take。　I　beg　for　nothing　more。”

“Yes；　yes；　I　know　you；　modest　mendicant；　you　ask　for　all　that　one　has。”

“If　there　be　a　stray　flower　for　me　I　will　wear　it　in　my　heart。”

“But　if　there　be　thorns？”

“I　will　endure　them。”

“Yes；　yes；　I　know　you；　modest　mendicant；　you　ask　for　all　that　one　has。”

“If　but　once　you　should　raise　your　loving　eyes　to　my　face　it　would　make　my　life　sweet　beyond　death。”

“But　if　there　by　only　cruel　glances？”

“I　will　keep　them　piercing　my　heart。”

“Yes；　yes；　I　know　you；　modest　mendicant；