Now I bethink me of a sweet weird story,
That in the dark
Our dead loves thus with seal of chilly kisses
Our bodies mark.
Gliding beneath the coverings of our couches
They share our rest,
And with their dead lips sign their loving visit
On arm and breast.
Darksome and cold the bed where now she slumbers,
I loved in vain,
With sweet soft eyelids closed, to be reopened
Never again.
Dead sweetheart, can it be that thou hast lifted
With thy frail hand
Thy coffin-Hd, to come to me again
From Shadowland?
Thou who, one joyous night, didst, pale and speechless,
Pass from us all.
Dropping thy silken mask and gift of flowers
Amidst the ball?
Oh, fondest of my loves, from that far heaven
Where thou must be.
Hast thou returned to pay the debt of kisses
Thou owest me?
"ARRIA MARCELLA"
Gautier doubtless obtained inspiration for this exquisite romance from an old Greek ghost story,
