The Dying Man to His Betrothed

One word--'tis all I ask of thee;
One word -- and that is little now
That I have learned thy wrong of me;
And thou too art unfaithful -- thou!
O thou sweet poison, sweetest death,

O honey between serpent's teeth.
Breathe on me with thy scorching breath!
The last poor hope is fleeting now,
And with it life is ebbing fast;

I gaze upon thy cold white brow,
And loathe and love thee to the last.
And still thou keepest silence, -- still
Thou look'st on me: for good or ill
Speak out, that I may know thy will.

Thou weepest, woman, and art pale:
Weep not, for thou shalt soon be free;
My life is ending like a tale
That was but never more shall be.

O blessed moments, ye fleet fast.
And soon the latest shall be past,
And she will be content at last.
Nay, tremble not, I have not curst
Thy house or mine, or thee or me.

The moment that I saw thee first.
The moment that I first loved thee, --
Curse them? -- Alas I can but bless
In this mine hour of heaviness: --

Nay, sob not so in thy distress.
I have been harsh, thou say'st of me; --
God knows my heart was never so:
It never could be so to thee.

And now it is too late -- I know
Thy grief -- forgive me, love, 'tis o'er;
For I shall never trouble more
Thy life that was so calm before.

I pardon thee; mayst thou be blest!
Say, wilt thou sometimes think of me?
Oh may I, from my happy rest,

Still look with love on thine and thee, --
And may I pray for thee alway,
And for thy love still may I pray,
Waiting the everlasting day!

Stoop over me; -- ah this is death!
I scarce can see thee at my side:
Stoop lower; let me feel thy breath,

O thou, mine own, my promised bride!
Pardon me, love; -- I pardon thee:
And may our pardon sealed be
Throughout the Ions; eternity.

The pains of death my senses cover.
Oh for His sake who died for men.
Be thou more true to this thy lover

Than thou hast been to me: Amen.
And, if he chide thee wrongfully.
One little moment think on me,
And thou wilt bear it patiently.

And now, O God, I turn to Thee:
Thou only, Father, canst not fail:
Lord, Thou hast tried and broken me,

And yet Thy mercy shall prevail.
Saviour, through Thee I am forgiven; --
Do Thou receive my soul, blood-shriven,
O Christ, who art the Gate of Heaven!