Love's Shadows

THERE come dull days in love's clear atmosphere, When clouds and doubt obscure the wide expanse. The woods are still; no songs of birds entrance; No sunlight falls, and desolate and drear, As if harmonious with the lurking fear 5 Which sucks love's peace, the leaden waves that glance From rock-bound coast the general gloom enhance; And spectral winds are wailing far and near. When suddenly, and oft in darkest hour, I hear some strain of music, or some voice, 10 Or some of thy drear writing chance I see, When, lo! The spell is broken, and the power Of darkness, earth, and sea, and sky rejoice, And all my being thrills with songs of thee.