C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Après Trois Ans

Translation of Gertrude Hall

WHEN I had pushed the narrow garden-door,

Once more I stood within the green retreat;

Softly the morning sunshine lighted it,

And every flower a humid spangle wore.

Nothing is changed. I see it all once more:

The vine-clad arbor with its rustic seat;

The water-jet still plashes silver sweet,

The ancient aspen rustles as of yore.

The roses throb as in a bygone day,

As they were wont; the tall proud lilies sway.

Each bird that lights and twitters is a friend.

I even found the Flora standing yet,

Whose plaster crumbles at the alley’s end—

Slim, ’mid the foolish scent of mignonette.