In foolish error I from thee did stray,
Thinking the wide world I would wander o'er
In quest of love, — love that should have the power
To fill my heart with all-embracing sway.
In every street I sought love day by day;
Beseeching hands I held at every door,
Asking for but one sign of love, — no more;
But all with scoffing hatred turned away.
And still I wandered o'er the weary ground,
In search of love, — but love I never found.
Hopeless and sad, at last I homeward turned,
And thou didst meet me, — and thine eye's soft glance
My longing heart with rapture did entrance,
For there I saw the love for which I yearned.
