I.

One dream of passion and of beauty more! And in its bright fulfilment let me pour My soul away! Let earth retain a trace Of that which lit my being, though its race Might have been loftier far. Yet one more dream! From my deep spirit one victorious gleam Ere I depart! For thee alone, for thee! May this last work, this farewell triumph be-- Thou, loved so vainly! I would leave enshrined Something immortal of my heart and mind, That yet may speak to thee when I am gone, Shaking thine inmost bosom with a tone Of lost affection,--something that may prove What she hath been, whose melancholy love On thee was lavish’d; silent pang and tear, And fervent song that gush’d when none were near, And dream by night, and weary thought by day, Stealing the brightness from her life away-- While thou----Awake! not yet within me die! Under the burden and the agony Of this vain tenderness--my spirit, wake! Even for thy sorrowful affection’s sake, Live! in thy work breathe out!--that he may yet, Feeling sad mastery there, perchance regret Thine unrequited gift.