Page:Songs and Sonnets (1906).djvu/138



by the thought of undelaying Spring,
 * The little emerald blades unfold to greet
 * Their promised heritage of sun and heat,

With life's wild rapture eager, hastening; How should they know that Winter yet must bring
 * Its icy chains to bind the tender feet—
 * That driving storms of snow and chilling sleet

And javelins of frost shall smite and sting?

Thou, too, O eager heart, that dost aspire
 * To bring to harvest thy perfected grain,

And reach thy promised heritage of higher
 * Endowment, must be swept by storms of pain—

Must know the anguish of delayed desire
 * And feel the biting tooth of cold disdain!