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1849–1903

II

William Ernest Henley

Moon of half-candied meres And flurrying, fading snows; Moon of unkindly rains, Wild skies, and troubled vanes;

When the Norther snarls and bites, And the lone moon walks a-cold, And the lawns grizzle o’ nights, And wet fogs search the fold:

Here in this heart of mine A dream that warms like wine, A dream one other knows, Moon of the roaring weirs

And the sip-sopping close, February Fill-Dyke, Shapes like a royal rose — A red, red rose!

O, but the distance clears! O, but the daylight grows! Soon shall the pied wind-flowers Babble of greening hours,

Primrose and daffodil Yearn to a fathering sun, The lark have all his will, The thrush be never done,

And April, May, and June Go to the same blythe tune As this blythe dream of mine! Moon when the crocus peers,

Moon when the violet blows, February Fair-Maid, Haste, and let come the rose — Let come the rose!

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II · William Ernest Henley · Poetry Cove