When sparrows build, and the leaves break forth, br My old sorrow wakes and cries, br For I know there is dawn in the far, far north, br And a scarlet sun doth rise; br Like a scarlet fleece the snow-field spreads, br And the icy founts run free, br And the bergs begin to bow their heads, br And plunge, and sail in the sea. br br O my lost love, and my own, own love, br And my love that loved me so! br Is there never a chink in the world above br Where they listen for words from below? br Nay, I spoke once, and I grieved thee sore, br I remember all that I said, br And now thou wilt hear me no more - no more br Till the sea gives up her dead. br br Thou didst set thy foot on the ship, and sail br To the ice-fields and the snow; br Thou wert sad, for thy love did naught avail, br And the end I could not know; br How could I tell I should love thee to-day, br Whom that day I held not dear? br How could I know I should love thee away br When I did not love thee anear? br br We shall walk no more through the sodden plain br With the faded bents o'erspread, br We shall stand no more by the seething main br While the dark wrack drives o'erhead; br We shall part no more in the wind and the rain, br Where thy last farewell was said; br But perhaps I shall meet thee and know thee again br When the sea gives up her dead.