Her Smile of Cheer and Voice of Song

Spring fails, in all its bravery of brilliant gold and green,--
The sun, the grass, the leafing tree, and all the dazzling scene
Of dewy morning--orchard blooms,
And woodland blossoms and perfumes
With bird-songs sown between.

Yea, since she smiles not any more, so every flowery thing
Fades, and the birds seem brooding o'er her silence as they sing--
Her smile of cheer and voice of song
Seemed so divinely to belong
To ever-joyous Spring!

Nay, still she smiles.--Our eyes are blurred and see not through our
tears:
And still her rapturous voice is heard, though not of mortal ears:--
Now ever doth she smile and sing
Where Heaven's unending clime of Spring
Reclaims those gifts of hers.