Semper Idem

Hold up thy head and crush
Thy heart's despair;
From thy wan temples brush
The tear-wet hair.

Look on me thus as I
Gaze upon thee;
Nor question how nor why
Such things can be.

Thou thought'st it love!--poor fool!
That which was lust!
Which made thee, beautiful,
Vile as the dust!

Thy flesh I craved, thy face!--
Love shrinks at this--
Now on thy lips to place
One farewell kiss!--

Weep not, but die!--'tis given--
And so--farewell!--
Die!--that which makes death heaven,
Makes life a hell.