“I would tell you, Darling, if I were dead,
And ’twere your hot tears upon my brow shed.
“I would say, though the angel of death had laid
His sword on my lips to keep it unsaid.
“You should not ask, vainly, with streaming eyes,
Which in Death’s touch was the chiefest surprise;
“The very strangest and suddenest thing
Of all the surprises that dying must bring.”
* * * *
Ah! foolish world! Oh! most kind Dead!
Though he told me, who will believe it was said?
Who will believe that he heard her say,
With the soft rich voice, in the dear old way:—
“The utmost wonder is this,—I hear,
And see you, and love you, and kiss you, Dear;
“I can speak now you listen with soul, not ear;
If your soul could see, it would all be clear
“What a strange delicious amazement is Death,
To be without body and breathe without breath.