Across the shining desert wide,
I come, my love, to thee;
I come to claim thee for my bride,
Thy willing slave to be!
My heart, like yon red orb of fire
That turns the sand to gold,
Will burn, till all its deep desire,
To thee, dear maid, is told.
Swift is my steed, but fleeter far
My heart, that seeks for thee, my star!
Like the rushing wind it flies before,
To claim thee mine for evermore!
Afar, upon the battlefield,
Thine eyes have look'd in mine,
And nerved my arm the sword to weild
For sake of thee and thine.
When Death had aimed his threat'ning dart
To lay me with the slain,
I seem'd to hear thy voice, dear heart,
And victor rose again!
Swift is my steed, but fleeter far
My heart, that seeks for thee, my star! etc.
And now I come a conq'ror crown'd,
But still not wholly blest
Until my heart thine own hath found,
For ever there to rest!
I come to lay before thy feet
The laurels I have gain'd,
To claim thee mine for aye, my sweet,
By deathless love enchain'd!
Swift is my steed, but fleeter far
My heart, that seeks for thee, my star! Etc.