Love,  they  tell  me  in  the  caverns  of  the  Charnel's

realms  of  gloom
Never  blush  the  sweet  carnations  nor  the  soft  warm

roses  bloom;


Eternal  Love.  119

And  that  solemn  spirits  treading  in  those  mournful

midnight  bowers
Only  see  the  chill  camelias  and  the  ghostly  white

moon-flowers.
Love,  they  tell  me  all  are  strangers  on  those  dreary,

dreary  strands,
And  each  passes  each  in  silence,  smiling  not  nor

grasping  hands;
With  those  phantoms  treading  onward,  passing  still

each  other  by,
Not  a  word  of  love  is  spoken,  nor  is  heard  a  laugh

or  sigh.
Love,  they  tell  me  high-born  ladies  and  the  knights

in  armor  there
Meeting  in  those  dim  recesses  only  gaze  with  chilly

stare;
And  that  lovers  and   their   loved   ones,   once   so

tender,  warm,  and  true,
Never  turn  to  look  a  moment,  passing  from  each

other's  view.
Love,  they  tell  me  when  those  spirits  shall  at  last

ascend  to  heaven,
Wisdom,  beauty,  treasures,  glory,  all  the  gifts  but

love  are  given;
Though  one  spirit  be  in  Eden,  one  in  Hades'  dumb

despair,
This  shall  know  the  other's  torment,  yet  will  never

shed  a  tear.
I2o  Eternal  Love.
Love,  I  tell  thee  as  I  perish  what  my  answer,  love,,
shall  be,

And  my  heart  for  both  upwelling  answers  for  thy
self  and  me —

Nearer,  nearer,  true  love,  nearer!  gather  fast  the
shades  of  night,

Kiss  me,  kiss  me,  dear  love,  kiss  me!  ere  the  fading
of  the  light.
Though  enrobed  in  funeral  garments,  I  shall  tear

the  shrouds  away,
Breaking  through  the  dismal  charnel,  walled  with

iron,  stone,  and  clay,
Then  with  fingers  torn  and  bleeding,  pallid  face,

and  bruised  feet,
I  shall  wake  thee  in  the  midnight,  stealing  kisses

warm  and  sweet.
