Song 63qVjAbascVE8tJo7gqUYY

Cold in the earth and the deep snow piled above thee

Far, far removed, cold in the dreary grave!

Have I forgot, my only Love, to love thee

Severed at last by Time's all-severing wave?

Now, when alone, do my thoughts no longer hover

Over the mountains, on that northern shore

Resting their wings where heath and fern leaves cover

Thy noble heart forever, ever more?

Cold in the earth and fifteen wild Decembers

From those brown hills, have melted into spring

Faithful, indeed, is the spirit that remembers

After such years of change and suffering!

Sweet Love of youth, forgive, if I forget thee

While the world's tide is bearing me along

Other desires and other hopes beset me

Hopes which obscure, but cannot do thee wrong!

No later light has lightened up my heaven

No second morn has ever shone for me

All my life's bliss from thy dear life was given

All my life's bliss is in the grave with thee

But, when the days of golden dreams had perished

And even Despair was powerless to destroy

Then did I learn how existence could be cherished

Strengthened, and fed without the aid of joy

Then did I check the tears of useless passion

Weaned my young soul from yearning after thine

Sternly denied its burning wish to hasten

Down to that tomb already more than mine

And, even yet, I dare not let it languish

Dare not indulge in memory's rapturous pain

Once drinking deep of that divinest anguish

How could I seek the empty world again?