My soul the burden of one prayer to Heaven,

I dread to go alone into the grave,

And fold my cold arms emptily away

From the bright shadow of such loveliness.

Can the dull mist where swart October hides

His wrinkled front and tawny cheek, wind-shorn,

Be sprinkled with the orange fire that binds

Away from her soft lap o'erbrimmed with flowers,

The dew-wet tresses of the virgin May?

Or can the heart just sunken from the day