Open wide the latticed window: has the spring already come?

I had scarcely hoped such rapture on my weary journey home;

Pleasant ‘tis to meet old faces, and to feel old friends are near—

Bend a little lower—tell me, did you say that spring was here?

Sings the red–breast on the elm tree—I have heard that song before,

When the twilight shadows darkened, standing by my cabin door;

Wider fling the lattice open, raise my head that I may see

The snow–drop shining on the green sward, and the bird upon the tree.

Do not smile with cruel pity, I am not so changed and weak,

Every pulse is bravely beating, though the tears are on my cheek;

If the sight of bird and blossom this poor stricken heart can move,

Blame me not, but, oh, remember I have little left to love!

Still the old and thread–bare fable—cease that hollow lying cant,

Tell me not that food and shelter can supply my every want;

Stifling in this pauper dungeon, guarded by that ponderous wall,

Housed, like jaded, worn–out cattle, each can claim his ghastly stall.

Could the past be but forgotten, even I might cease to crave

Aught beyond this workhouse palace, and the pauper's nameless grave:

Hark! upon the roof descending, falls like lead the plashing rain—

Am I dreaming? ‘tis the tolling of the bell that strikes my brain.

Hark! I hear the children's voices, not the voices of the dead,

O'er their graves the leaves of autumn in their crimson glow were shed;

You never saw my gentle Ellen—god be thanked, she was set free,

And the gloomy prison portals only opened wide for me.

For myself, it matters little, I have endless sorrows borne,

But to think the parish raiment by my darling should be worn;

Better die of knawing hunger, lacking even daily bread,

Than the lips I loved so dearly by cold charity be fed.

Close the window, night is falling, the robin's evening song is o'er,

Blotted out the sunset shadows dancing on the glaring floor:

Bend your head down to the pillow—did you tell me spring was come?

I am cold and very weary, and I long to hasten home.