Spring

First came the rain, loud, with sonorous lips; A pursuivant who heralded a prince: And dawn put on a livery of tints, And dusk bound gold about her hair and hips: And, all in silver mail, then sunlight came, A knight, who bade the winter let him pass, And freed imprisoned beauty, naked as The Court of Love, in all her wildflower shame. And so she came, in breeze-borne loveliness, Across the hills; and heav'n bent down to bless: Before her face the birds were as a lyre; And at her feet, like some strong worshiper, The shouting water pæan'd praise of her, Who, with blue eyes, set the wild world on fire.