I
Thy splendour-lighted face before mine eyes
Shines like a flaming sunset evermore;
Thee only I behold on the earth's floor,
Thee only I behold within the skies;
Thy coming on is like a conqueror,
Before thy footsteps the world's glory dies,
Within mine ears thy voice doth ever rise
Like a loud ocean beating on the shore.
Thou art made kindred with eternity,
Daughter of glory, daughter of consolations;
Thy face is set above the constellations;
Of Death! O love! be I made one with thee,
That on thy holy lips and in thy love
The world may perish and the light thereof!
II
Lo, now my life is gone unto eclipse
Upon thy perilous bosom; lo, I die,
Faint with the utter whole of exstasy,
With unassuaged lips against thy lips,
That can give no more joy; lo, at the place
Of utter joy, lo, at joy's far-off throne,
Which none shall reach, with eyes now weary grown,
I lie slain at its utmost golden base.
Yea, we have call'd the white stars to behold
Our pale and fainting faces sick with joy;
Oregal lips that shall death's sting destroy,
I have suck'd bare life's cup upon thy breath!
Kiss me to death! Lo, now our lips are cold,
Wilt thou not bring new joy, O Death, O Death?