“ That time of year thou may’st in me
behold.1
behold.1
When or leaves, or none, or few, do
hang2
hang2
Upon those boughs which shake against
the cold,3
the cold,3
Bare, ruined choirs, where late the sweet
birds sang.4
birds sang.4
In me thou seest the twilight of such day,5
As after sunset fadeth in the west,6
Which by-and-by black night doth take
away,7
away,7
Death’s second self, that seals up all in
rest.8
rest.8
In me thou seest the glowing of such fire,9
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,10
As the deathbed whereon it must expire11
Consumed with that which it was nour-
ished by.12
ished by.12
This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy
love more strong,13
love more strong,13
To love that well which thou must leave
ere long.”14
ere long.”14