Ineffable Things

The little song-sparrow is gone And the summer is nearly ended, The rill of his song was a happy rift In the surging sound of the sea. The swallow is lingering on, And the silvery swift sandpiper, And I--tho I know my saddened heart Has lost an ineffable thing, That summer no more can bring.

With the first bay-leaves that flung Their scent to me by the billows, I twined some faith, some trust, As glad as the sparrow's song. And the terns that darted among The tides seemed weaving for me Impalpable wings of peace and hope-- That now have taken flight Beyond the day and the night.

Ah, Life, you have known my plea For sun and the tide of fortune, For winds to waken my sail and bear Me joyously over the world. Know too how much of your fog And storm and rain I will suffer, If only you do not sweep from me The dear ineffable things, To which your fragrance clings.