The Lover Asks Forgiveness Because of His Many Moods + 

If this importunate heart trouble your peace + 

With words lighter than air, + 

Or hopes that in mere hoping flicker and cease; + 

Crumple the rose in your hair; + 

And cover your lips with odorous twilight and say, + 

“O Hearts of wind-blown flame! + 

O Winds, elder than changing of night and day, + 

That murmuring and longing came, + 

From marble cities loud with tabors of old + 

In dove-grey faery lands; + 

From battle banners, fold upon purple fold, + 

Queens wrought with glimmering hands; + 

That saw young Niamh hover with love-lorn face + 

Above the wandering tide; + 

And lingered in the hidden desolate place, + 

Where the last Phoenix died + 

And wrapped the flames above his holy head; + 

And still murmur and long: + 

O Piteous Hearts, changing till change be dead + 

In a tumultuous song”: + 

And cover the pale blossoms of your breast + 

With your dim heavy hair, + 

And trouble with a sigh for all things longing for rest + 

The odorous twilight there. + 