The Folly of Being Comforted + 

One that is ever kind said yesterday: + 

“Your well-beloved’s hair has threads of grey, + 

And little shadows come about her eyes; + 

Time can but make it easier to be wise + 

Though now it seem impossible, and so + 

Patience is all that you have need of.” + 

No, + 

I have not a crumb of comfort, not a grain, + 

Time can but make her beauty over again: + 

Because of that great nobleness of hers + 

The fire that stirs about her, when she stirs + 

Burns but more clearly. O she had not these ways, + 

When all the wild summer was in her gaze. + 

O heart! O heart! if she’d but turn her head, + 

You’d know the folly of being comforted. + 