Rose-Bloom and lily-bloom
Sway upon the stalk,
Swinging censers of perfume
Down the garden-walk.
Swathed all in silver mist
Of the moonlit night;
By the molten sunbeams kist-
O the rapt delight!
. . . . . .
What bodes the shadow drear
Creeping o’er the skies?
Flower of frost, or frozen tear
On the ground that lies?
Rose-leaf and lily-leaf
Stricken from the stem,
Wild the wide and wintry grief
That has come to them.
