Page:The songs that Quinte sang.djvu/29

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And swift from his lips the answer came:
“O maiden! I’ll give thee health
And youth and hope and deathless fame,
And treasures of golden wealth.”
Then his voice grew soft as the note of a dove,
“But best of all, I will give thee love.”

But she wearily turned her head aside
As he spake Love’s fatal name.
“Thou dost mock my sorrow, Life!” she cried,
“For what to me is fame?
And health and wealth prove worthless too,
Since hope is dead and my love untrue.

“O Angel! I spurn thy gifts and thee.”
And she turned to his rival, Death,
“And thou! what hast thou in store for me?”
She whispered with fleeting breath,
A cool, soft kiss on her brow he pressed,
And murmured, “Oblivion, peace and rest.”

And the maiden’s face grew strangely calm
At the sound of the angel’s voice,
And she laid her hand in his pale, cold palm.
Oh! wise was the maiden’s choice.
And the watchers in silence held their breath
As her soul went out to the arms of Death.