The first approach of the sweet spring - Le Châtelain de Coucy

The first approach of the sweet spring

Returning here once more,—

The memory of the love that holds

In my fond heart such power,—

The thrush again his song assaying,—

The little rills o'er pebbles playing,

And sparkling as they fall,—

The memory recall

Of her on whom my heart's desire

Is, shall be, fixed till I expire.

With every season fresh and new

That love is more inspiring:

Her eyes, her face, all bright with joy,—

Her coming, her retiring,

Her faithful words, her winning ways,—

That sweet look, kindling up the blaze,

Of love, so gently still,

To wound, but not to kill,—

So that when most I weep and sigh,

So much the higher springs my joy.

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Le Châtelain de Coucy [Le Chastelain de Couci] (12th century) France

Translated by E. Taylor

Source: The Poets And Poetry Of Europe by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1897