Page:An epic of women and other poems (IA epicofwomenother00osha).pdf/52

 But now I feel as though a kiss Of hers should ever give me birth In some new heaven of life-long bliss; And heedlessly, athwart my mirth, I see Death digging day by day A grave; and, very far away, I hear the falling of the earth.

Ho there, if thou wilt wait for me Thou Death!—I say—keep in thy shade; Crouch down behind the willow tree, Lest thou shouldst make my love afraid; If thou hast aught with me, pale friend, Some flitting leaf its sigh shall lend To tell me when the grave is made!

And lo, e'en while I now rejoice, Encircled by my love's fair arm, There cometh up to me a voice, Yea, through the fragrance and the charm; Quite like some sigh the forest heaves Quite soft—a murmur of dead leaves, And not a voice that bodeth harm: