Let her heart not gather a dream that is base:

Shadow her head with your golden hands.

[Pg 27]

[Pg 27]

WINTER.

The long days came and went; the riotous bees

Tore the warm grapes in many a dusty-vine,

And men grew faint and thin with too much ease,

And Winter gave no sign:

But all the while beyond the northmost woods

He sat and smiled and watched his spirits play

In elfish dance and eery roundelay,

Tripping in many moods

With snowy curve and fairy crystal shine.

But now the time is come: with southward speed

The elfin spirits pass: a secret sting

Hath fallen and smitten flower and fruit and weed,

And every leafy thing.

The wet woods moan: the dead leaves break and fall;

In still night-watches wakeful men have heard

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