Poem by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

The House of Life. Sonnet 83. Barren Spring

Once more the changed year's turning wheel returns:
And as a girl sails balanced in the wind,
And now before and now again behind
Stoops as it swoops, with check that laughs and burns,--
So Spring comes merry towards me here, but earns
No answering smile from me, whose life is twin'd
With the dead boughs that winter still must bind,
And whom to-day the Spring no more concerns.

Behold, this crocus is a withering flame;
This snowdrop, snow; this apple-blossom's part
To breed the fruit that breeds the serpent's art.
Nay, for these Spring-flowers, turn thy face from them,
Nor stay till on the year's last lily-stem
The white cup shrivels round the golden heart.

1. The House of Life. Sonnet 14. Youth's Spring-Tribute
2. The House of Life. Sonnet 8. Love's Lovers
3. The House of Life. Sonnet 49. Willowwood - 1
4. The House of Life. Sonnet 99. Newborn Death - 1
5. The House of Life. Sonnet 37. The Love-Moon

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