RARELY rarely comest thou

    Spirit of Delight！

    Wherefore hast thou left me now

    Many a day and night？

    Many a weary night and day

    'Tis since thou art fled away.

    How shall ever one like me

    Win thee back again？

    With the joyous¹ and the free

    Thou wilt² scoff³ at pain.

    Spirit false！ thou hast forgot

    All but those who need thee not.

    As a lizard⁴ with the shade

    Of a trembling leaf

    Thou with sorrow art dismay'd；

    Even the sighs of grief

    Reproach thee that thou art not near

    And reproach thou wilt not hear.

    Let me set my mournful ditty

    To a merry measure；

    Thou wilt never come for pity

    Thou wilt come for pleasure：

    Pity then will cut away

    Those cruel wings and thou wilt stay.

    I love all that thou lovest

    Spirit of Delight！

    The fresh earth in new leaves drest

    And the starry⁵ night；

    Autumn evening and the morn

    When the golden mists are born.

    I love snow and all the forms

    Of the radiant frost；

    I love waves and winds and storms

    Everything almost

    Which is Nature's and may be

    Untainted by man's misery⁶.

    I love tranquil⁷ solitude⁸

    And such society

    As is quiet wise and good；

    Between thee and me

    What diff'rence？ but thou dost possess

    The things I seek not love them less.

    I love Love—though he has wings

    And like light can flee

    But above all other things

    Spirit I love thee—

    Thou art love and life！ O come！

    Make once more my heart thy home！

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