THE SOUTH-WEST WIND
We stood by the idle weir,
Like bells the waters played,
The rich moonlight slept everywhere
As it would never fade:
So slept our shining peace of mind
Till rose a south-west wind.
How sorrow comes who knows?
And here joy surely had been:
But joy like any wild wind blows
From mountains none has seen,
And still its cloudy veilings throws
On the bright road it goes.
The black-plumed poplars swung
So softly across the sky:
The ivy sighed, the river sung,
Woolpacks were wafting high:
The moon her golden tinges flung
On these she straight was lost among.
O south-west wind of the soul,
That brought such new delight,
And passing by in music stole
Love’s rich and trusting light,
Would that we thrilled to thy least breath
Now all is still as death.