The Winter brought no snow, and yet I was
As cold within as crystal pools in Spring.
What Summer bringeth, Autumn’s Sun leaves
toss;
Eternal change—oh cruel celestial ring!
The pitch of starlight drops, and faints the Moon,
When structures move from darkness in the
dawn—
So what effect has her last smile by noon,
In that sad place where heart and soul belong?
To her belongs the music of the Spheres,
And on her face, a rainbow’s light sublime—
How could I feign to leave, without more tears,
The secret garden where those colours shine?
That Love which cancels frailty also steals
The power to hurt, and fortune’s fleeting seals.