I SHOULD have known thou wouldst have died
When fate first led me to thy side ;
Thy holy eyes had nought of earth
Thy lip ne'er curved in heartless mirth ;
I should have known thou wouldst have died,
My seraph-love ! my angel-bride !
I loved thee then, I love thee yet !
Though I have striven to forget
Though Time's dark wings have pressed my brow,
I loved thee then and love thee now ;
And had I died when thou wert dead,
Thy spirit, mine to heaven had led.
Thou gentle presence ! in that hour,
I felt thy being knew thy power.
Thy spirit, from the clay departed,
Has watched o'er me when loneliest hearted.
The evening star recalls thine eye
The mournful zephyr sighs thy sigh !
The forms of earth and visioned air
In being like to thee, are fair
I do not yet deserve to die,
Or I might join thee in yon sky.
Pray that my sins may be forgiven ;
I long to die to reach thy heaven.
How human things the heart deprave
Though I am kneeling by thy grave,
I feel a yearning unto earth,
Which speaks the spell of mortal birth.
I love an angel, loving thee,
Or scarce would wish to cease to be.
I cherish still my marriage ring,
Keeping it as an hallowed thing
Of the firm chain of love which binds ;
It is a link which still reminds ;
Though long on earth may be my stay,
No spell shall charm thy spell away.
I feel I have not long to stay
To heaven and thee I will away,
Beseeching God in earnest prayer,
Though I have sinned, to meet thee there ;
For well I feel full well I see
No earthly spell bound me to thee.
The bliss the doom hath come at last,
My mortal frame is chilling fast ;
While with the soul's clear eyes I see
My spirit-wife approaching me.
Oh ! far from earth to holier things,
I glide to her on spirit-wings !
