Here you will find the Poem When I Behold The Lark of poet Bernard de Ventadorn
When I behold the lark upspring To meet the bright sun joyfully, How he forgets to poise his wing In his gay spirit's revelry, Alas! that mournful thoughts should spring E'en from that happy songster's glee! Strange, that such gladdening sight should bring Not joy, but pining care to me! I thought my heart had known the whole Of love, but small its knowledge proved. For still the more my longing soul Loves on, itself the while unloved: She stole my heart, myself she stole, And all I prized from me removed; She left me but the fierce control Of vain desires for her I loved. All self-command is now gone by, E'er since the luckless hour when she Became a mirror to my eye, Whereon I gazed complacently. Thou fatal mirror! there I spy Love's image; and my doom shall be, Like young Narcissus, thus to sigh, And thus expire, beholding thee.
