After a Parting

What ails the air in Denmark, And darkens all the day? There is a gloom upon the place, Since Hamlet went away.

The morning and the noonday Are no more magical, And no more comes the witchery That fell with evenfall.

There is no heart in laughter, There is no cheer in wine, Even the women's shining eyes Have somehow veiled their shine.

There is no royal presence, No smile to bless the day, No word to make us gladder, now The prince is gone away.

The fair and wide-spread city, That used to bask in gold Under the mellow autumn sun, Is dull and gray and cold.

The street-cries that were music To herald in the morn, Under a wintry twilight now Fall minor and forlorn.

The lamps that flashed at sunset Across the purple square To make a twinkling fairyland, Are dimmer than they were.

No lights are in the palace, No crowd about the door, The chain is rusting on the gate, And dark is Elsinore.

There's something drear in Denmark That saddens every day, For lonely-hearted is the place Since Hamlet went away.