LOVE'S KISS

Kiss me but once — and in that space supreme

My whole dark life shall quiver to an end,

Sweet Death shall see my heart and comprehend

That life is crowned — and in an endless gleam

Will fix the colour of the dying stream

That Life and Death may meet as friend with friend

An endless immortality to blend;

Kiss me but once, and so shall end my dream.

And then Love heard me and bestowed his kiss,

And straight I cried to Death: I will not die!

Earth is so fair when one remembers this;

Life is but just begun! Ah, come not yet!

The very world smiles up to kiss the sky

And in the grave one may forget — forget.