Heart of Spring!

O Heart of Spring! Spirit of love and light and joyous day, So soon to faint beneath the fiery Summer; Still smiles the Earth, eager for thee alway; Welcome art thou, soever short thy stay, Thou bold, thou blithe newcomer! Whither, oh whither this thy journeying, O Heart of Spring!

O Heart of Spring! After the stormy days of winters reign, When the keen winds their last lamentare sighing, The Sun shall raise thee up to life again. In thy dim death thou shalt not suffer pain; Surely thou dost not fear this quietdying? Whither, or whither blithely journeying, O Heart of Spring!

O Heart of Spring! Youth's emblem, ancient as unchanging light, Uncomprehended, unconsumed, still burning; Oh, that we could, as thee, rise from the night So find a world of blossoms lilac-white, And long-winged swallows unafraid returning. . . . Whither, oh whither, this thy journeying. O Heart of Spring!