Now December darkens br Over Autumn dead. br The frozen earth now hearkens br For the last leaf to be shed. br Above gray grass the branches bare br Melt, faint ghosts, in misty air, br Like despair. br br O the nearer, deeper br In my heart, remembering br My Love's kiss and how her eyes br Blessed me like enchanted skies, br Is the joy that with the spring br Shall waken Earth the sleeper.