My Spectre around me night & day
Like a Wild beast guards my way;
My Emanation far within
Weeps incessantly for my Sin.
A Fathomless & boundless Deep,
There we wander, there we weep.
On the hungry craving wind
My Spectre follows thee behind.
He scents thy footsteps in the snow
Wheresoever thou dost go,
Thro’ the wintry hail & rain:
‘When wilt thou return again?
‘Dost thou not in Pride & scorn
Fill with tempests all my morn?
And with jealousies & fears
Fill my pleasant nights with tears?
‘Seven of my sweet loves thy knife
Has bereaved of their life;
Their marble tombs I built with tears,
And with cold & shuddering fears.
Seven more loves weep night & day
Round the tombs where my loves lay,
And seven more loves attend each night
Around my couch with touches bright;
‘And Seven more Loves in my bed
Crown with wine my mournful head,
Pitying & forgiving all
Thy transgressions great & small.
‘When wilt thou return & view
My loves, & them to life renew?
When wilt thou return & live?
When wilt thou pity, as I forgive?’
‘Never, Never I return:
Still for Victory I burn!
Living, thee alone I’ll have,
And when dead I’ll be thy Grave.
‘Thro’ the Heav’n & Earth & hell
Thou shalt never, never quell;
I will fly & thou pursue,
Night & Morn the flight renew.’
‘Till I turn form Female Love
And root up the Infernal Grove,
I shall never worthy be
To Step into Eternity;
‘And to end thy cruel mocks
Annihilate thee on the rocks,
And another form create
To be subservient to my Fate.
‘Let us agree to give up Love
And root up the infernal grove;
Then we shall return & see
The worlds of happy Eternity,
‘& Throughout all Eternity
I forgive you, you forgive me.
As our dear Redeemer said,
“This the Wine & this the Bread.”’
