The Palm and the Pine

From the German by Richard Monckton Milnes, Lord Houghton BENEATH an Indian palm a girl   Of other blood reposes; Her cheek is clear and pale as pearl   Amid that wild of roses. Beside a northern pine a boy   Is leaning fancy-bound, Nor listens where with noisy joy   Awaits the impatient hound. Cool grows the sick and feverish calm,   Relaxed the frosty twine,— The pine-tree dreameth of the palm,   The palm-tree of the pine. As soon shall nature interlace   Those dimly-visioned boughs, As these young lovers face to face   Renew their early vows.