I Walked in Love's Deserted Room

I walked in Love's deserted room alone,
And saw the lampless shrine, and in Love's place
Not Hope's transcendent light, nor met her gaze
Who, Queen of Love, made all my heart her own;
But a strange shape, as cold and hard as stone:
And round it pressed in that most desolate place
A phantom band, each one with ghastly face.
And each for some especial grief made moan.

I saw my Soul there, reigning in Love's stead,
And it cried out, " Depart, ye clamoring throng!
While Joy or Grief was mine I gave ye song.
But now, behold my last song-word is said:
Love is a frail thing; Death alone is strong, —
And Hope and Joy and Grief with Love lie dead."