d,
And meant, verily, to hold
Life's pure pleasures manifold.

"I am pale as crocus grows
Close beside a rose-tree's root!
Whosoe'er would reach the rose,
Treads the crocus underfoot--
_I_, like May-bloom on thorn tree--
_Thou_, like merry summer-bee!
Fit, that _I_ be pluck'd for _thee_.

"Yet who plucks me?--no one mourns--
I have lived my season out,--
And now die of my own thorns
Which I could not live without.
Sweet, be merry! How the light
Comes and goes! If it be night,
Keep the candles in my sight.

"Are there footsteps at the door?
Look out quickly. Yea, or nay?
Some one might be waiting for
Some last word that I might say.
Nay? So best!--So angels would
Stand off clear from deathly road--
Not to cross the sight of God.

"Colder grow my hands and feet--
When I wear the shroud I made,
Let the folds lie straight and neat,
And the rosemary be spread--
That if any friend should come,
(To see _thee_, sweet!) all the room
May be lifted out of gloom.

"And, dear Bertha, let me keep
On my hand this little ring,
Which at nights, when others sleep,
I can still see glittering.
Let me wear it out of sight,
In the grave--where it will light
All the Dark up, day and night.

"On that grave, drop not a tear!
Else, though fathom-deep the place,
Through the woollen shroud I wear,
I shall feel it on my face.
Rather smile there, blessed one,
Thinking of me in the sun--
Or forget me--smiling on!

"Art thou near me? nearer? so!
Kiss me close upon the eyes--
That the earthly light may go
Sweetly as it used to rise--
When I watch'd the morning-gray
Strike, betwixt the hills, the way
He was sure to come that day.

"So--no more vain words be said!
The hosannas nearer roll--
Mother, smile now on thy Dead--
I am death-strong in my soul!
Mystic Dove alit on cross,
Guide the poor bird of the snows
Through the snow-wind above loss!

"Jesus, Victim, comprehending
Love's divine self-abnegation--
Cleanse my love in its self-spending,
And absorb the poor libation!
Wind my thread of life up higher,
Up through angels' hands of fire!--
I aspire whi