It was when
Whirls of thick waters laved me
        Again and again,
That something arose and saved me;
        Yea, it was then.

        In that day
Unseeing the azure went I
        On my way,
And to white winter bent I,
        Knowing no May.

        Reft of renown,
Under the night clouds beating
        Up and down,
In my needfulness greeting
        Cit and clown.

        Long there had been
Much of a murky colour
        In the scene,
Dull prospects meeting duller;
        Nought between.

        Last, there loomed
A closing-in blind alley,
        Though there boomed
A feeble summons to rally
        Where it gloomed.
        The clock rang;
The hour brought a hand to deliver;
        I upsprang,
And looked back at den, ditch and river,
        And sang.