Associations

Sweet is the voice that sings, and sweet the air;
But only sweet to me, because they bring
Back perfectly to my remembering
A tune as sad and passionate as pray'r, —
A tune I heard when life and love were fair;
When all the strong, sweet perfumes of the spring,
Did so about my lady's presence cling,
They seemed her very loveliness to share.

So, when I hear this tune, that other strain
Revives within me, and I see again
My lady's face; yea, then I do rejoice,
Recalling half-lost beauties of her voice;
A little then the present off I cast.
And walk 'mid lovely ruins of the past.