A beckoning spirit of gladness seemed afloat, br That lightly danced in laughing air before us: br The earth was all in tune, and you a note br Of Nature's happy chorus. br br 'Twas like a vernal morn, yet overhead br The leafless boughs across the lane were knitting: br The ghost of some forgotten Spring, we said, br O'er Winter's world comes flitting. br br Or was it Spring herself, that, gone astray, br Beyond the alien frontier chose to tarry? br Or but some bold outrider of the May, br Some April-emissary? br br The apparition faded on the air, br Capricious and incalculable comer.