O heart of Spring

O heart of Spring !
Spirit of light and love and joyous day,
So soon to faint beneath the fiery Summer :
Still smiles the Earth, eager for thee alway :
Welcome art thou, soever short thy stay,
Thou bold, thou blithe newcomer !
Whither, O whither this thy journeying,
O heart of Spring ?

O heart of Spring !
After the stormy days of Winter's reign,
When the keen winds their last lament are sighing,
The Sun shall raise thee up to life again :
In thy dim death thou shalt not suffer pain :
Surely thou dost not fear this quiet dying ?
Whither, O whither this thy journeying,
O heart of Spring ?

O heart of Spring !
Youth's emblem, ancient and unchanging light,
Uncomprehended, unconsumed, still burning :
Oh that we could, as thou, rise from the night
To find a world of blossoms lilac-white,
And long-winged swallows unafraid returning . . .
Whither, O whither this thy journeying,
O heart of Spring ?