Through ancient nights by sleepless love oppressed,

Or by the iron flight of loveless hours.

Knowing the weary wisdom of the years,

The empty truth of tears;

The suns of June, that with some great excess

Of ardour slay the unabiding rose,

And grey-haired winter, wan and fervourless

For whom no flower grows;

Seeing the scarlet and the gold that pales,

On Orient snows untrod,