Stars of the Desert/Gathered from Ternina's face
Gathered from Ternina's face
(To N. L. K. in memory of June 23rd)
Tristan, Oh, Tristan! Death has set us free!
There is no barrier now, 'twixt me and thee,
For Fate allows my lips their "Come to me"!!
Tristan!
We, from this night, no more of night shall know;
For us, no paling stars, no dawning glow;
Ah, I am more than glad to have it so,
Tristan!
I feared the poison, now I feel it thrill
Through all my veins like liquid fire, and still
It brings no pain, nor any sense of ill,
Tristan!
Only a tender, strange desire for thee,
While the winged moments perish silently.
Ah, come, lest Death forestall thee, come to me,
Tristan!
Most gracious Death, who sets me free to speak;
He strengthens me, who makes all others weak,
Brings blushes and no pallor to my cheek,
Tristan!
Listen; I say the words I could not say
Had we to rise and meet another day,
But in the falling shades of Death, I may!
Tristan!
There will be no to-morrow; I shall keep
Tristan for ever in my arms asleep.
Not even dreams will share a rest so deep,
Tristan!
My face will be the last face thou shalt see.
Thy spirit, entering on Eternity,
Will pause to take an ultimate kiss from me,
Tristan!
Ah, come to me, since Death has given the right.
I love thee so, I could have died to-night
Without the poison's aid, from sheer delight,
Tristan!
Much may be done by those about to die,
Much may be said by lips that say "Good-bye,"
On which the Last Great Silence soon must lie,
Tristan!
With Death to shelter me, I greatly dare,
My lips seek things mine eyes have long found fair,
This is thy mouth,—and this, thy falling hair,
Tristan!
Thy falling hair,—so soft upon my brow,
Never a lover has been loved as thou!
If this is Death, I have not lived till now!
Tristan!