And the snows of the Winter lay deep around,

When the hard news came and I knew at last;

And the reigning woe of my heart was crowned.

So I sought her here: the old Earl's bride:

In the ancient room, at the oriel dreaming,

Pale as the blooms in her hair; and, wide,

The dented satin, flung stormily, gleaming

Like beaten silver, twilight-dyed.

I marked as I stole to her side that tears

Were vaguely large in her beautiful eyes;