Sonnet CVI: "King Midas, walking through his realm of gold"

CVI

King Midas, walking through his realm of old,
Moved not more grandly than did we today
Across the buttercups that paved our way,
And made our path a stretch of shining gold.
The flocks of care slept soundly in their fold,
No mist of sadness on our spirits lay,
A thousand joys before us ran at play
And in the flowers with baby laughter rolled.
Strange heart of man! but yesterday I said,
"My lips on earth will never smile again;
Henceforth I wander in perpetual shade."
Today you led me down yon golden glade--
The common product of the sun and rain--
And see, Beloved, how love has been repaid!