Page:Myrtle and Myrrh.djvu/40



Regardless of the cries of priests and sages I strove to give my bleeding soul her wages; And each embrace or memory of one Is worth to me the treasures of the ages, Is worth to me the treasures of the ages.

Each shadow of a kiss or fond embrace Down in the depth of solitude I trace; And in the corners of my darkest den The fallen gods of pleasure find a place, The fallen gods of pleasure find a place.

And though knee-deep I find myself in hell, And though the flames around my cheeks should swell, I shall not loose my grip on Allah's throne, I shall not fall alone, I know full well, I shall not fall alone, I know full well.



I languish in thy penetrating clasp, Just as a bird entangled on a bough Shaken by the wind; Yet here would I be happy in the grasp Of death; but in thy breast I'm hidden now, And death is blind.

I melt beneath thy storm of kisses, dear, Just as the gum upon the almond tree Of melting when alone and far from thee: Melts 'neath the rain; Yet would I melt to-night than live in fear O, storm again!