In the swiftly fading light of passing autumn days lost summers' dancers linger in the air by steps and stages illuminated as distant fairy-tale. I am at last revealed: Paupers, not Princes, have been the cause of all my wasted tears: of all these wasted years. I have given of my body I have given of my soul. Tested and tempted Time after time returned alone from time's despair released. Yet now: a hand so simply offered reaches within me through past encircling thorns to break the spell and wake my sleeping heart