Author: Robert Louis Stevenson Source: I Who All the Winter Through

I WHO all the winter through Meaning: During the whole winter, I

Cherished other loves than you, Meaning: cared for other things more than you,

And kept hands with hoary policy in marriage-bed and pew; Meaning: and followed old, cautious ways in marriage and religion.

Now I know the false and true, Meaning: Now I understand what is false and true,

For the earnest sun looks through, Meaning: because the bright sun shines clearly,

And my old love comes to meet me in the dawning and the dew. Meaning: and my old love comes to me in the morning and the dew.

Now the hedged meads renew Meaning: Now the fields with hedges are fresh again,

Rustic odour, smiling hue, Meaning: with country smells and happy colors,

And the clean air shines and tinkles as the world goes wheeling through; Meaning: and the clean air shines and sparkles as the world spins around.

And my heart springs up anew, Meaning: And my heart jumps up again,

Bright and confident and true, Meaning: bright, confident, and true,

And my old love comes to meet me in the dawning and the dew. Meaning: and my old love comes to meet me in the morning and the dew.