Love's Guerdon

Why, in the brightness of this cheerful morning,
When universal nature whispers rest,
Should darkling thoughts, tumultuous,—no warning,—
Disturb the calm of my unguarded breast?

Vague memories, unhappy dreams, come thronging,
Unquiet ghosts arisen from the tomb
Of my past years; and all the love and longing
My lone heart feels, moan round me in the gloom.

How may it be that solitude can borrow
From earth so beautiful and heaven so clear
These resurrected shapes of causeless sorrow!
Needs my sad soul such discipline severe?

O melancholy self! wouldst thou unburden
Thy bosom of its weight of precious care?
Sweet-bitter love forevermore a guerdon
Of grief in joy and joy in grief shall bear.
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