Page:Stars of the Desert.djvu/144

 "I had such dreams about this night with thee: All through the fight I saw these planets shine. With each new wound my desperate spirit sobbed Let me but live to reach this roof of thine!

"And I have reached it; cool the night-wind blows Against these lips, whose fevered prayers are vain. My broken ankle, dragging on the stone, Has pained me not as thy repulses pain.

"Ah, my beloved one; try to understand; Pity this burnt up mouth with one cool kiss, Thus shalt thou make my madness slave to thee,— Aie! then thou wouldst escape? take this and this!!

"So it is dead; the little and lovely thing, Pinned by my dagger to the earthen floor Liked a wired flower. Ah, well, I had my way, The small clenched hands resisted me no more.

"The soft curved lips spoke no repelling words, I can die now for I am satisfied, And after death I shall demand no more Since I have had my heaven before I died.

"Now for my knife; thou life-long friend of me, Reluctantly thou leav'st her breast for mine; Well,—'tis the sweetest blood that thou hast drawn Who hast drawn much; I did my work. Do thine" 132