Cold in the earth and the deep snow piled above thee!

Far, far removed, cold in the dreary grave:

Have I forgot, my only Love, to love thee,

Severed at last by Time’s all-severing wave?

Now, when alone, do my thoughts no longer hover

Over the mountains on Angora’s shore;

Resting their wings where heath and fern-leaves cover

That noble heart for ever, ever more?

Cold in the earth, and fifteen wild Decembers

From these brown hills have melted into spring – [10]

Faithful indeed is the spirit that remembers

After such years of change and suffering!

Sweet Love of youth, forgive if I forget thee

While the World’s tide is bearing me along:

Other desires and other Hopes beset me,

Hopes which obscure but cannot do thee wrong.

No later light has lightened up my heavens;

No second morn has ever shone for me;

All my life’s bliss from thy dear life was given –

All my life’s bliss is in the grave with thee. [20]

But when the days of golden dreams had perished

And even Despair was powerless to destroy,

Then did I learn how existence could be cherished,

Strengthened and fed without the aid of joy.