XXIII

The wind on the downs is bright

As though from the sea:

And morning and night

Take comfort again with me.

He is nearer to-day,

Each night to each morning saith,

Whose return shall revive dead May

With the balm of his breath.

The sunset says to the moon,

He is nearer to-night

Whose coming in June

Is looked for more than the light.

Bird answers to bird,

Hour passes the sign on to hour,

And for joy of the bright news heard

Flower murmurs to flower.

The ways that were glad of his feet

In the woods that he knew

Grow softer to meet

The sense of his footfall anew.

He is near now as day,

Says hope to the new-born light:

He is near now as June is to May,

Says love to the night.