The night is darkening round me,
The wild winds coldly blow;
But a tyrant spell has bound me
And I cannot, cannot go.
The giant trees are bending
Their bare boughs weighed with snow,
And the storm is fast descending
And yet I cannot go.
Clouds beyond clouds above me,
Wastes beyond wastes below;
But nothing drear can move me;
I will not, cannot go.

If grief for grief can touch thee,
If answering woe for woe,
If any truth can melt thee
Come to me now!
I cannot be more lonely,
More drear I cannot be!
My worn heart beats so wildly
‘Twill break for thee–
And when the world despises–
When Heaven repels my prayer–
Will not mine angel comfort?
Mine idol hear?
Yes, by the tears I’m poured,
By all my hours of pain
O I shall surely win thee,
Beloved, again!

Shall Earth no more inspire thee,
Thou lonely dreamer now?
Since passion may not fire thee
Shall Nature cease to bow?
Thy mind is ever moving
In regions dark to thee;
Recall its useless roving–
Come back and dwell with me.
I know my mountain breezes
Enchant and soothe the still–
I know my sunshine pleases
Despite thy wayward will.
When day with evening blending
Sinks from the summer sky,
I’ve seen thy spirit bending
In fond idolatry.
I’ve watched thee every hour–
I know my mighty sway–
I know my magic power
To drive thy griefs away.
Few hearts to mortals given
On earth so wildly pine,
Yet none would ask a Heaven
More like the Earth than mine.
Then let my winds caress thee–
Thy comrade let me be–
Since naught beside can bless thee,
Return and dwell with me.

Riches I hold in light esteem
And Love I laugh to scorn
And Lust of Fame was but a dream
That vanished with the morn —
And if I pray–the only prayer
Is–‘Leave the heart that now I bear
And give me liberty.’
Yes, as my swift days near their goal
‘Tis all that I implore–
In life and death a chainless soul
With courage to endure!