It was a day of sun and rain, br Uncertain as a child's swift moods; br And I shall never spend again br So blithe a day among the woods. br br Was it because the Gods were pleased br That they were awful in our eyes, br Whom we in very deed appeased br With barley-cakes of sacrifice? br br The forest knew her and was glad, br And laughed for very joy to know br Her child was with her; then, grown sad, br She wept, because her child must go. br br And Alice, like a little Faun, br Went leaping over rocks and ferns, br Coursing the shadow-race from dawn br Until the twilight-flock returns. br br And she would spy and she would capture br The shyest flower that lit the grass; br The joy I had to watch her rapture br Was keen as even her rapture was. br br The forest knew her and was glad, br And laughed and wept for joy and woe. br This was the welcome that she had br Among the woods of Fontainebleau.