Song

“O Love, thou art winged and swift,

   Yet stay with me evermore!”

And I guarded my house with bolt and bar

   Lest Love fly forth at the door.

Without, in the world, ’t was cold,

   While Love and I together

Laughed and sang by my red hearth-fire,

   Nor knew it was winter weather.

Sweet Love would lull me to sleep,

   In his tireless arm caressed;

His shadowing wings and burning eyes

   Like night and stars wrought rest.

And ever the beat of Love’s heart

   As a chime rang at my ear;

And ever Love’s bending, beautiful face

   Covered me close from fear.

Was it long ere I waked alone?

   A snow-drift whitened the floor;

I saw spent ashes upon my hearth

   And Death in my open door.