And leave behind the loves that plead no more,

The dear frivolity of wiles and ways

They neither need nor know in these grim days.

Here in their garden's close I spend no tear,

No smile—too rare the heights for such display.

But on the frosted hedges' lifted spear

And with my head a little bowed, I lay

A pale camelia, proud and cold as they

Who wait beneath their ashen pall of snow—

Perhaps the fair dead dames will see and know.