HER SMILE OF CHEER AND VOICE OF SONG

Spring fails, in all its bravery of brilliant gold and green,—

The sun, the grass, the leafing tree, and all the dazzling scene

Of dewy morning — orchard blooms,

And woodland blossoms and perfumes

With bird-songs sown between.

Yea, since she smiles not any more, so every flowery thing

Fades, and the birds seem brooding o'er her silence as they sing —

Her smile of cheer and voice of song

Seemed so divinely to belong

To ever-joyous Spring!

Nay, still she smiles.— Our eyes are blurred and see not through our tears:

And still her rapturous voice is heard, though not of mortal ears:—

Now ever doth she smile and sing

Where Heaven's unending clime of Spring

Reclaims those gifts of hers.