Outer Sadness

I held my Love against my heart, and knew
The deep delight of loving her; yea, all
The maddening sweetness, when beyond recall,
Her lips through rame my longing spirit drew
And uttermost heaven opened to my view.
Where she and I with Love kept festival.
But with the calm that followed, and the fall
Of gentler kisses, soft and sweet as dew,

Came in the March wind's melancholy voice,
A weary monster seeking after prey;
And farther off I seem to catch the noise
Of waves that hiss and thunder while they slay, —
A sudden terror seized me 'mid my joys.
And " Death " was all the word Love found to say.