There came a day in winter when the sun
Reached down and swept the world all clean of snow;
When captive streams long hushed in icy woe
Escaped with song again to dance and run:
Between the purple hills the vales were spun
With silver mist, and, dreaming in the glow,
The trees and vines were tremulous as though
They felt the buds unfolding one by one.

Just for a day this glamour touched the dearth
And dreariness of life, — one vision brief
Of joy that lit the sorrow of the earth, —
Then passed, and with it hope went and belief:
So Love once came and with a voice of mirth
Betrayed my heart and left it dumb with grief.