Love and Death

I dreamed my love had set thy spirit free,

Enfranchised thee from Fate's o'ermastering power,

And girt thy being with a scatheless dower

Of rich and joyous immortality;

O Love, I dreamed my soul had ransomed thee,

In thy lone, dread, incalculable hour

From those pale hands at which all mortals cower,

And conquered Death by Love, like Savitri.

When I awoke, alas, my love was vain

E'en to annul one throe of destined pain,

Or by one heart-beat to prolong thy breath;

O Love, alas, that love could not assuage

The burden of thy human heritage,

Or save thee from the swift decrees of Death.