Sad One, Must You Weep

“SAD one, must you weep alway?

Youth's ill wedded with despair;

Ringless hand and robe of grey

Mock the charms which they declare.”

Sad and sweetly answered she,

“What are comely robes to me?

I would wear a grass green dress,

Dew pearls for my gems — no less

Now can comfort me.”

“Sweet, the shining of your hair

( All forgotten and undone )

Squanders‘ neath the veil you wear

Gold whose loss bereaves the sun.”

Very sad and low said she,

“What is shining hair to me?

When from out the rain-wet mold

Kingcups borrow of its gold

Sweet and sweet‘ twill be.”

“Love, O Love! your hand is chill

As a snowflake lost in spring,

Wild it flutters — then lies still

As a bird with prisoned wing!”

Sad and patient answered she,

“As a bird I would be free;

As the spring I would find birth

In the sweet, forgetful earth —

Pray you, let it be!”