| |
| WE passed where flag and flower | |
| Signalled a jocund throng; | |
| We said: “Go to, the hour | |
| Is apt!”—and joined the song; | |
| And, kindling, laughed at life and care, | 5 |
| Although we knew no laugh lay there. | |
| |
| We walked where shy birds stood | |
| Watching us, wonder-dumb; | |
| Their friendship met our mood; | |
| We cried: “We’ll often come: | 10 |
| We’ll come morn, noon, eve, everywhen!” | |
| —We doubted we should come again. | |
| |
| We joyed to see strange sheens | |
| Leap from quaint leaves in shade; | |
| A secret light of greens | 15 |
| They’d for their pleasure made. | |
| We said: “We’ll set such sorts as these!” | |
| —We knew with night the wish would cease. | |
| |
| “So sweet the place,” we said, | |
| “Its tacit tales so dear, | 20 |
| Our thoughts, when breath has sped, | |
| Will meet and mingle here!”… | |
| “Words!” mused we. “Passed the mortal door, | |
| Our thoughts will reach this nook no more.” | |
| |
