As first the hollow note

Kissed the sweet lips and died of happiness,

The little Child unfurled her sails.

I stood there on the very verge of sleep,

And called to her,

And Love’s own self had deigned to wait within my heart,

(Because I kept it always fit for Childish guests)

And would have given welcome had she stayed.

But then I saw the eyelids close,

And knew that Azrael who championed her soul,