Ebony and Crystal/The Crucifixion of Eros

by Clark Ashton Smith

THE CRUCIFIXION OF EROS

Because of thee, immortal Love hath died:Because thy wilful heart will not believe,Thy hands and mine a thorny crown must weave,A thorny crown for Love the crucified.

Behold, how beautiful the limbs that bleed—The limbs that bleed, O stubborn heart, for us!Still are the lids so softly tremulous,And mute the mouth of of our eternal need.********Though this thy fearful lips would now deny,Love is divine, and cannot wholly die:Draw forth the nails thy tender hands have driven—

And we will know the mercy infinite,Will find redemption in our own delight,And in each other's heart the only heaven.