Cold in the earth and the deep snow piled above thee!
 Far, far removed, cold in the dreary grave!
 Have I forgot, my Only Love, to love thee,
 Severed at last by Time's all wearing wave?

 Now, when alone, do my thoughts no longer hover
 Over the mountains on Angora's shore;
 Resting their wings where heath and fern-leaves cover
 That noble heart for ever, ever more?
 Cold in the earth, and fifteen wild Decembers
 From those brown hills have melted into Spring -
 Faithful indeed is the spirit that remembers
 After such years of change and suffering!

 Sweet Love of youth, forgive if I forget thee
 While the World's tide is bearing me along:
 Sterner desires and darker hopes beset me,
 Hopes which obscure but cannot do thee wrong.

 No other sun has lightened up my heaven;
 No other star has ever shone for me:
 All my life's bliss from thy dear life was given -
 All my life's bliss is in the grave with thee.

 But when the days of golden dreams had perished
 And even Despair was powerless to destroy,
 Then did I learn how existence could be cherished,
 Strengthened and fed without the aid of joy;

 Then did I check the tears of useless passion,
 Weaned my young soulfrom yearning after thine;
 Sternly denied its burning wish to hasten
 Down to that tomb already more than mine!

 And even yet, I dare not let it languish,
 Dare not indulge in Memory's rapturous pain,
 Once drinking deep of the divinest anguish
 How could I seek the empty world again.