WITH caws and chirrupings, the woods br In this thin sun rejoice. br The Psalm seems but the little kirk br That sings with its own voice. br br The cloud-rifts share their amber light br With the surface of the mere - br I think the very stones are glad br To feel each other near. br br Once more my whole heart leaps and swells br And gushes o'er with glee; br The fingers of the sun and shade br Touch music stops in me. br br Now fancy paints that bygone day br When you were here, my fair - br The whole lake rang with rapid skates br In the windless winter air. br br You leaned to me, I leaned to you, br Our course was smooth as flight - br We steered - a heel-touch to the left, br A heel-touch to the right. br br We swung our way through flying men, br Your hand lay fast in mine: br We saw the shifting crowd dispart, br The level ice-reach shine. br br I swear by yon swan-travelled lake, br By yon calm hill above, br I swear had we been drowned that day br We had been drowned in love.