I cannot see thee die; I cannot brook

Upon thy brow to look,

And see death settle on my cradle joy.

How have I drunk the light of thy blue eye!

And could I see thee die?

‘I did not dream of this when thou wast straying,

Like an unbound gazelle, among the flowers;

Or wearing rosy hours,

By the rich gush of water-sources playing,

Then sinking weary to thy smiling sleep,