Gates Of Glass

Each holdeth its own fancy, I say -

Yet the pleasure we partake in

Was caus'd by the fang'd grin,

Save!, do I for him anger hold?

Nay - I knew I was fey!"

"Had I what it taketh I would do;

I sense - I cannot sense,

I am - yet! I am not -

Once I kiss'd the image

Of the Seven Angels of Death..."

"Yet as thou so didst,

On my lips a kiss landéd,

And with the shadows blendéd

The tendermost silken mourn;

In which the light hidden is -

Yon Hell's brazen doors

Wrothfully it trieth to push."

"Then, lo! the Black Death,

Serpent-like 'twixt the breasts crept;

Hush'd with a gasp of life's breath,

"Hush'd with a gasp of life's breath,

Together red tears they wept,

Together red tears we wept - in vain,

And pass'd the procession of dancers dead -

And pass'd the procession of dancers dead -

As in darkness were we lock'd in wed."

As in darkness were we lock'd in wed;

I kiss'd the Seven Angels of Death!