The Spirit of the Gay

With the glamour of the Gay

How you made our hearts to flame;

Gave each life some airy aim:

Ever round you seemed to play

Sunlight from some inner day.

Dazzling as with red and gold;

Rich with beauty, love and youth—

How were we to know the truth,

That if all the tale were told

Life for you was sad and cold ?

For you found if we would wake

And the joy make young each heart,

You who told must stand apart:

And you bore it for our sake,

Though your heart was nigh to break.

So your life was like a sphere's:

One side, all aglow, meets day,

And the other turned away,

Icy-strange and cold appears,

Overhung with starry tears.