Because the sky is blue; because blithe May br Masks in the wren's note and the lilac's hue; br Because -- in fine, because the sky is blue br I will read none but piteous tales to-day. br Keep happy laughter till the skies be gray, br And the sad season cypress wears, and rue; br Then, when the wind is moaning in the flue, br And ways are dark, bid Chaucer make us gay. br But now a little sadness! All too sweet br This springtide riot, this most poignant air, br This sensuous world of color and perfume. br So listen, love, while I the woes repeat br Of Hamlet and Ophelia, and that pair br Whose bridal bed was builded in a tomb.