Sad Songs Remembered

Not of my lady be, this once, my lay,
But of my songs of her be this my song; —
My songs, that stood, a strange and unseen throng,
About my spirit, ready to obey
The words that grief and love might have to say.
In this one, all the pain of hope found tongue;
To this I said, " Go forth! and be thou strong,
Some pity of my lady's soul to pray."

And now, poor songs, that they have done their best,
Though weak their wings might be my love to bear, —
Now that Joy's regal foot is on the stair
That Grief so often trod in long unrest, —
I will not these my faithful songs despise,
But look on them with reverential eyes.