Love and Death

"My gracious lady talks with Love," I said,
"Yet hath perchance no thought of me. O sweet
See now I put my heart beneath your feet,
Having no crown to set upon your head:
Is the gift too unworthy? " Then Love led
My lady up to me, and bade her greet
My lips with hers, that body and soul might meet:
We kissed, we clung together, comforted.

"My lady talks with me," I said; " Love's grace
Hath made us now forevermore as one."
My lady turned aside, and, lo! one saith, —
"Lover, behold thy lady talks with Death."
I turned to clasp my sweet, but in her place
Death towered before me and eclipsed the sun.