Sorrow had hooded all your skies in gray,

And when these dancing boughs put on their gay,

Bright May-time bravery, they only grieved

A heart bereaved.

And though glad robins sang to you to stay,

And by the stream the first sweet-flags unfurled

Seemed nature’s truce to sorrow,—every way

Held warring memories wherewith to gainsay

And send you wandering over half the world.

Ah, well do I remember how my prayers