Rarely, rarely comest thou, <br /> Spirit of Delight! <br />Wherefore hast thou left me now <br /> Many a day and night? <br />Many a weary night and day <br />'Tis since thou art fled away. <br /> <br />How shall ever one like me <br /> Win thee back again? <br />With the joyous and the free <br /> Thou wilt scoff at pain. <br />Spirit false! thou hast forgot <br />All but those who need thee not. <br /> <br />As a lizard with the shade <br /> Of a trembling leaf, <br />Thou with sorrow art dismayed; <br /> Even the sighs of grief <br />Reproach thee, that thou art not near, <br />And reproach thou wilt not her. <br /> <br />Let me set my mournful ditty <br /> To a merry measure;-- <br />Thou wilt never come for pity, <br /> Thou wilt come for pleasure; <br />Pity then will cut away <br />Those cruel wings, and thou wilt stay. <br /> <br />I love all that thou lovest, <br /> Spirit of Delight! <br />The fresh Earth in new leaves dressed, <br /> And the starry night; <br />Autumn evening, and the morn <br />When the golden mists are born. <br /> <br />I love snow and all the forms <br /> Of the radiant frost; <br />I love waves, and winds, and storms, <br /> Everything almost <br />Which is Nature's, and may be <br />Untainted by man's misery. <br /> <br />I love tranquil solitude, <br /> And such society <br />As is quiet, wise, and good; <br /> Between thee and me <br />What difference? but thou dost possess <br />The things I seek, not love them less. <br /> <br />I love Love--though he has wings, <br /> And like light can flee, <br />But above all other things, <br /> Spirit, I love thee-- <br />Thou art love and life! O come! <br />Make once more my heart thy home!<br /><br />Percy Bysshe Shelley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/song-13/
