With far less joy in it than tears,

To set my lips to your warm face

Is worth a sight of dismal years!”

“And I’m so happy, Jack, with you,”

She whispers softly.... “See, the rain

Has stopped, the clouds are broken through,

The stars are shining clear again!”

Pausing, they gaze across the Heath

Submerged in fog—a dim hush’d lake

Wherein the wretched might seek death,