“SAD one, must you weep alway?
Youth's ill wedded with despair;
Ringless hand and robe of grey
Mock the charms which they declare.”
Sad and sweetly answered she,
“What are comely robes to me?
I would wear a grass green dress,
Dew pearls for my gems — no less
Now can comfort me.”
“Sweet, the shining of your hair
( All forgotten and undone )
Squanders‘ neath the veil you wear
Gold whose loss bereaves the sun.”
Very sad and low said she,
“What is shining hair to me?
When from out the rain-wet mold
Kingcups borrow of its gold
Sweet and sweet‘ twill be.”
“Love, O Love! your hand is chill
As a snowflake lost in spring,
Wild it flutters — then lies still
As a bird with prisoned wing!”
Sad and patient answered she,
“As a bird I would be free;
As the spring I would find birth
In the sweet, forgetful earth —
Pray you, let it be!”