I · Section 2

I

_Il pleut doucement sur la ville_.--RIMBAUD

Tears fall within mine heart, As rain upon the town: Whence does this languor start, Possessing all mine heart?

O sweet fall of the rain Upon the earth and roofs! Unto an heart in pain, O music of the rain!

Tears that have no reason Fall in my sorry heart: What! there was no treason? This grief hath no reason.

Nay! the more desolate, Because, I know not why, (Neither for love nor hate) Mine heart is desolate.

II

COLLOQUE SENTIMENTAL

Into the lonely park all frozen fast, Awhile ago there were two forms who passed.

Lo, are their lips fallen and their eyes dead, Hardly shall a man hear the words they said.

Into the lonely park, all frozen fast, There came two shadows who recall the past.

"Dost thou remember our old ecstasy?"-- "Wherefore should I possess that memory?"--

"Doth thine heart beat at my sole name alway? Still dost thou see my soul in visions?" "Nay!"--

"They were fair days of joy unspeakable, Whereon our lips were joined?"--"I cannot tell."--

"Were not the heavens blue, was not hope high?"-- "Hope has fled vanquished down the darkling sky."--

So through the barren oats they wanderèd, And the night only heard the words they said.