They brought me rubies from the mine, 
And held them to the sun; 
I said, they are drops of frozen wine 
From Eden's vats that run. 

I looked again,--I thought them hearts 
Of friends to friends unknown; 
Tides that should warm each neighboring life 
Are locked in sparkling stone. 

But fire to thaw that ruddy snow, 
To break enchanted ice, 
And give love's scarlet tides to flow,-- 
When shall that sun arise?