From my life’s outer orbit, where the night

That bounds my knowledge still is pierced through

By far-off singing planets such as you,

Whose faint, sweet voices come to me like light

In disembodied beauty, keen and bright,—

From this far orbit to my nearer view

You came one day, grown tangible and true

And warm with sympathy and fair with sight.

Then I who still had loved your distant voice,

Your songs, shot through with beauty and with tears

And woven magic of the wistful years,

I felt the listless heart of me rejoice

And stir again, that had lain stunned so long,

Since I had you, yourself a living song.