London in May

Two long, full years have passed since I have smelt

Sweet London in this happy month of May!

Last year relentless War bore me away

To Imbros Isle, where six sad months I dwelt

Beneath a burning sun — nor ever felt

One breath of gentle Spring blow o'er the bay

Between whose sun-dried hills so long I lay

A restless captive. Now has Fortune dealt

More kindly with me: once again I know

The drowsy languor of the afternoons:

The soft white clouds: the may-tree's whiter snow:

The star-bound evenings, and the ivory moons.

My heart, dear God! leaps up till it is pain

With thanks to Thee that I am here again.