But a song welled forth from my joyous heart,

As waters gush from a long-sealed spring

When the chains of winter are rent apart.

“I’m coming, I’m coming, my dove, my dear;

In the heaven of thy arms, my own sweet wife,

I’ll usher the birth of the glad new year;

I’m coming, I’m coming, my love, my life!”

* * * * *

Hark! the clang of the changing sentry’s steel;

Awaken, O fool, from thy blissful bed;