Autumn

Now droops the troubled year And now her tiny sunset stains the leaf. A holy fear, A rapt, elusive grief, Make imminent the swift, exalting tear.

The long wind’s weary sigh-- Knowest, O listener! for what it wakes? Adown the sky What star of Time forsakes Her pinnacle? What dream and dreamer die?

A presence half-divine Stands at the threshold, ready to depart Without a sign. Now seems the world’s deep heart About to break. What sorrow stirs in mine?

A mist of twilight rain Hides now the orange edges of the day. In vain, in vain We labor that thou stay, Beauty who wast, and shalt not be again!