True Love

True love has vanished from every heart, What has befallen the lovers fair? When did the bonds of friendship part? What has befallen the friends once there? Why do the feet of the guide still linger? The waters of life are no longer clear. The purple rose has grown pale with fear, What has befallen the wind of spring? No one says, “A love was mine, Loyal and wise enough to stay.” No one remembers love’s right divine, No one remembers the ancient way. What has befallen all lovers fair? Where did the faithful disappear? Hearts that once burned like a prayer in the air, Now leave only silence here. What has befallen the friends that were? What has befallen the lovers fair? In the midst of the field, at the players’ feet, The ball of mercy and favor came. But none leapt forward to enter the game, What has befallen the horsemen fleet? Roses have opened, but no bird sings, No trembling throat has told the tale. What has silenced the hundred wings? What has befallen the nightingale? What has befallen all lovers fair? Where did the faithful disappear? Hearts that once burned like a prayer in the air, Now leave only silence here. What has befallen the friends that were? What has befallen the lovers fair? Heaven’s music is hushed tonight, And the planets turn without a sound. Has beauty broken her silver lute? Has the foaming cup fallen down? There is none to press the ripened vine, None to pour from the golden bowl. The sky keeps time with a wounded light, And silence gathers in the soul. A city where kings were lovers crowned, A land where friendship rose from dust. Who laid waste to that enchanted ground? Who turned the garden into rust? Years have passed since a ruby was won From the mine of the human heart. The wind runs fleet and the rain comes on, But the light of the sun falls apart. What has befallen all lovers fair? Where did the faithful disappear? Hearts that once burned like a prayer in the air, Now leave only silence here. What has befallen the friends that were? What has befallen the lovers fair? What has befallen the wind of spring? What has befallen the nightingale? Beloved, the secret of time’s dark wheel No heart can name, no mind can claim. In youth, in age, in all we feel, We ask the stars the same refrain: What has befallen the wheels of time? What has befallen the lovers fair?