The Tryst

Silent I'm biding,         While softly gliding     Sink the still hours to eternity's sleep.         My fancies roaming         List in the gloaming: -     Will she the trysting now keep?         Winter is dreaming,         Bright stars are beaming,     Smiling their light through its cloud-veil they pour,         Summer foretelling         Sweet love compelling; -     Dare she not meet me here more?         'Neath the ice lying,         Longing and sighing,     Ocean would wander and warmer lands woo.         Anchored ships swinging,         Sail-thoughts outflinging; -     Come we together, we two!         Whirling and fallings         Pictures enthralling,     Fairy-light made in the forest the snow;         Wood-folk are straying,         Shadows are playing; -     Was it your footstep? Oh, no!         Courage is failing,         Hoar frost assailing     Boughs of your longing surrounds with its spell.         But I dare enter,         Break to the center,     Where in dream-fetters you dwell.