Where are they hidden, all the vanished years?
Ah, who can say?
Where is the laughter flown to, and the tears?
Perished? Ah, nay!
Beauty and strength are born of sun and showers;
Shall these not surely spring again in flowers?
Yet let them sleep, nor seek herein to wed
Effect to cause;
For nature's subtlest influences spread
By viewless laws.
This only seek, that each New Year may bring
Out of new gifts a fairer, softer spring!