II

I feel as murderers feel, who, having slain

Their love, laugh with red hands and do not care.

I took sweet Summer by her lovely hair,

Bent her white throat, and gladly saw the stain

Crimson her green leaf-gown of hill and plain.

I would not wait for her last kiss, nor spare

One splendid flying hour, for chill and fair

Autumn, my love, comes near me thro’ the rain.

Pale with mysterious wonder, her deep eyes