NEW YEAR'S NIGHT

By David Herbert Lawrence

Now you are mine, to-night at last I say it;

You're a dove I have bought for sacrifice,

And to-night I slay it.

Here in my arms my naked sacrifice!

Death, do you hear, in my arms I am bringing

My offering, bought at great price.

She's a silvery dove worth more than all I've got.

Now I offer her up to the ancient, inexorable God,

Who knows me not.