Changed England

As one, who comes back to a house of yore, Some high old house in legendary trees. And misses blue flower here; there, at the door. Notes thinning bush, a difference in the bees; Then enters, halts, and of a sudden knows A face gone out, a step lost on the stair. So I, in England. Every buffet shows Upon her cheek; her every bone lies bare.

Yet comes not still the bloom to urban bough? Yet pluck not girls the country thorn and sigh? Folks buy, and sow, and neighbors go about? Oh, different! Oh, more worth loving now. Spent loveliness, that hurts me like a cry; — The step lost on the stair, the face gone out!