HOW like a Winter hath my absence been br From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year! br What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen, br What old December's bareness everywhere! br And yet this time removed was summer's time; br The teeming Autumn, big with rich increase, br Bearing the wanton burden of the prime br Like widow'd wombs after their Lord's decease: br Yet this abundant issue seem'd to me br But hope of orphans and unfather'd fruit; br For Summer and his pleasures wait on thee, br And, thou away, the very birds are mute: br    Or if they sing, 'tis with so dull a cheer br    That leaves look pale, dreading the Winter 's near.