"But you were so strong you could not die,
Though Azrael touched you as he passed by."
And then by a flame that lit up the skies,
I looked once again in Delilah's eyes.
They had out-lived fear, and were sweet, and deep
As the eyes of an Angel, who bringeth sleep.
"O brave one!" she said, "You soon shall see
From your thirst and your pain I can set you free!
"Here! The water flask!—I will lift your head,—
Drink if you will, and spare not," she said.
"Be patient, and wait! See here in your arm,
The poppies of God shall work their charm."
So she spoke, while her voice seemed faint and far
As though it drifted down from a star.
"I have come," she faltered, "belovéd at last"—
"Even so"—I said, "from the long-gone past.
"I would know," I cried, "how you came to me
Through this hell where no woman should ever be?"
"I heard you call," she answered, "and then
I followed the road of the out-bound men.