XLVIII

Of Helen's brothers, one was born to die

And one immortal, who, the fable saith,

Gave to the other that was nigh to death

One half his widowed immortality.

They would have lived and died alternately,

Breathing each other's warm transmuted breath,

Had not high Zeus, who justly ordereth,

Made them twin stars to shine eternally.

My heart was dying when thy flame of youth

Flooded its chambers through my gazing eyes.

My life is now thy beauty and thy truth.

Thou wouldst come down, forsaking paradise

To be my comfort, but by Heaven's ruth

I go to burn beside thee in the skies.