O subtle mouth, whereon the Sphinx has placed

The smile of those she kisses at their birth,

Sing once again, for Spring has thrilled the earth.

Nay, thou art dumb. Not even April’s taste

Is sweet to thee in thy live coffin cased.

There is no harsher tragedy than this—

That thou, who feltest as no man before

Scent, color, taste and sound and didst outpour

For us rich draughts of thine enchanted bliss

Shouldst be plunged down this cruel black abyss.