Tender lights on sky and sea;
Milkwhite blossoms on the tree;
Lull of storms and tempest bleak;
Faint bloom on a wan young cheek.
"Spring, the blessèd Spring, is nigh!"
Said my darling hopefully.
Violets' breath and primrose rays;
Sunshine threading leafy ways;
Gentle steps, that, weak and slow,
Through the woodland pathways go.
"It were sad in Spring to die,"
Said my darling wistfully.
Glorious Summer, crowned with flowers;
Dreamy days of golden hours;
Sunset-crimsoned hills afar;
Dewy eve, and silver star.
"Strength may come with by-and-by,"
Said my darling patiently.
Glowing fruits and ripening grain;
Languid days and nights of pain;
Fields so golden, earth so glad,
And a young life doomed! "'Tis sad
Through the bright days here to lie,"
Said my darling wearily.
Sighing winds and falling leaves;
Yearning love, that vainly grieves;
Patient eyes, with farewell gaze,
Greeting the wan autumn days.
"Happy world, fair world, good-bye,"
Said my darling tenderly.
Wailing storms and weeping skies;
Soft wings spread for Paradise;
Solemn whispering accents thrilled
With the awe of hope fulfilled.
"Life! O blissful life on high!"
Breathed my darling rapturously.
Wreathing snowdrifts, far and wide,
Mantling o'er the lone hillside.
Purer than that stainless veil —
Like a folded lily pale,
While the moaning blast goes by,
Sleeps my darling peacefully.