Upon the white cheek of the Cherub Year
 I saw a tear.
Alas! I murmured, that the Year should borrow
 So soon a sorrow.
Just then the sunlight fell with sudden flame: 
 A tear became
A wondrous diamond sparkling in the light ?
 A beautiful sight.

Upon my soul there fell such woeful loss, 
 I said, `The Cross
Is grievous for a life as young as mine.?
 Just then, like wine, 
God?s sunlight shone from His high Heavens down; 
 And lo! a crown
Gleamed in the place of what I thought a burden ?
 My sorrow?s guerdon.