The incense, the sunshine—but, Sadness, thy part,
Deepest of all, was the victor’s heart!
Ye meet at the bridal with flower and tear;
Strangely and wildly ye meet by the bier!
As the gleam from a sea-bird’s white wing shed
Crosses the storm in its path of dread;
As a dirge meets the breeze of a summer sky—
Sadness and Mirth! so ye come and fly!
Ye meet in the poet’s haunted breast,
Darkness and rainbow, alike its guest!