ONCE FOR ALL.

I said: This is a beautiful fresh rose.

I said: I will delight me with its scent,

Will watch its lovely curve of languishment,

Will watch its leaves unclose, its heart unclose.

I said: Old Earth has put away her snows,

All living things make merry to their bent,

A flower is come for every flower that went

In autumn; the sun glows, the south wind blows.

So walking in a garden of delight

I came upon one sheltered shadowed nook

Where broad leaf shadows veiled the day with night,

And there lay snow unmelted by the sun:—

I answered: Take who will the path I took,

Winter nips once for all; love is but one.