The pale penumbra of some twilight star,
Where a nepenthes Earth has never grown
May give me solace of a lasting sleep.
For them the door has open'd, now for me!
(Stands erect on steps right with arms extended.)
Ah, weep not faithful as for funeral
But rather raise a rapturous nuptial song.
Robe me companions, robe me as a bride,
Wreathe me with myrtle, for the bridegroom waits.
Let all Sabæa in the censer smoke
And myriad roses strew the path for me!
As from this world of Beauty dispossess'd
My last of song's my sweetest,I shall pass,
The Swan's way, like the lyric Lesbian
Who could not mate her dream and her desire.
Though every song and sacrifice shall cease
A victim self-devoted shall not fail
To-day, upon thy Altar, Helios,
So let me cease in passionate extasy!
