If while Alive

If while alive thou could'st not come
Even in dreams to me,
Come thou, beloved dead. I have
So much to say to thee.
To be together to come
Chance vouchsafed us no aid,
What each to each desired to say
Our longing eyes betrayed.
Dost recollect? When I would call
Thou wouldst swiftly run.
But softly, from a nearby room

To spy at me thy fun.

I was rejoiced when I saw thee

So near and yet so far,
That half-ope door appeared to me
The heaven's gate ajar.
When I left, thou wouldst from behind

A curtain see me go,
Thou thoughtst I know it not, but my

Fond heart did always know.

I saw thy burial. The grave...
Wherein thy form must dwell...
Ah me! that sight brought to my heart

The agonies of hell.
A thousand lightnings struck me when
I heard the gruesome thud

Of earth thrown on thy coffin's lid,
It froze my brain and blood.
That coffin held my saintly dove.

Wilt ever come to me?
To hold thee near my heart, my arms

Shall e'er wide open be.

Beloved one come! and kissest thou
Me with thy spirit breath:

I follow be it heaven or hell
My soul encountereth.