The Secret Splendour

It was the last day of my life--but not

 Last by the gradual ebbing of all light:

Rather, the splendour of the world was caught

To a sudden dazzle and deluge of wondrous white;

And who shall count such glory dearly bought

At the small price of never-ending night?

Fate said: "A gold infinity will be thine

For one days utter clasp of ecstasy

 If evermore thy heart has courage to sign

The sun and moon and stars away and be

A black abyss." I answered: "Like vast wine

I'll drink this death: first let her once be mine!"

Farewell, sweet lips that held my life between,

Soft eyes that made divine my very doom.

Girl-body that will never more be seen

By this mad poet and passionate dreamer whom

You gave for a day some deathless Beauty's sheen—

 Farewell, but deepest thanks from a god's gloom!

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