1. I gazed at a doe so gentle,
A shining full moon, and fragrant branch.

2. She revealed to you from tender sprouts,
Their youth upon her keeping watch.

3. She waved to us from hilltop high,
A staff from which many branches ply.

4. In the eve she went her way,
Her companions all their glances pry.

5. Stars of night when they espy,
Stars of gray, begin to die.

6. Moons of meadows, moons that grace
The minds and turn all hearts apace.

7. If I look more, look more fair,
Lovelier shape and stranger air.

8. From fresh youth away they fare,
Leave but beauty and perfume there.

9. So wonder not if gray assail,
For naught there did but grace avail.

10. If gray to me is loathsome thing,
To her how can endearment cling?

11. Though I did clad in chill of youth
Frisk frolicsome and frisk, forsooth.

12. If you incline, a supple rod,
If you desist, a rigid clod.

13. Leave fools to me a hateful crew,
For wise am I and wisdom woo.

14. The guest finds me easy, laughing, gay,
Though strange I’ve nothing seen or say.

15. Patience I use, unless I’ve found
Some servitude its measure bound.

16. A patience that, when free of slight,
From servitude doubles plight.