WHO knoweth the hope that was born to me,
When the spring - time came with its greenery!
With orchard blossoming, fair to see,
With drone of beetle, and buzz of bee,
And robin a trill on his apple-tree,
Cheerily, cheerily!

Who knoweth the hope that was dead—ah me!
That was dead — and never again to be,
When the winter came, all dismally,
With desolate rain on desolate sea;
With cold snow - blossoms for wood and lea,
And the wind a-moan in the apple-tree,
Drearily, drearily!