On his earth-stainèd brow and sightless eyes

Still shone the splendours of our Paradise.

Hushed was each dissonance, every fault made clean,

And joys alone I saw, that might have been.

It never seemed our Love could shew so fair

As that dead Presence, shrined in glory there.

I would not have our Love to live again,

And blend each pleasure with his greater pain.—

Oh better far this blessèd death, and rest!

Dead Love I clasp, I cherish to my breast