FIRST LOVE

"No, no! Leave me not in this dark hour," She cried. And I, "Thou foolish dear, but call not dark this hour; What night doth lour?" And nought did she reply, But in her eye The clamorous trouble spoke, and then was still.

O that I heard her once more speak, Or even with troubled eye Teach me her fear, that I might seek Poppies for misery. The hour was dark, although I knew it not, But when the livid dawn broke then I knew, How while I slept the dense night through Treachery's worm her fainting fealty slew.

O that I heard her once more speak As then—so weak— "No, no! Leave me not in this dark hour." That I might answer her, "Love, be at rest, for nothing now shall stir Thy heart, but my heart beating there."