The House of Life: V. Death in Love

There came an image in Life's retinue

That had Love's wings and bore his gonfalon

Fair was the web, and nobly wrought thereon

O soul-sequestered face, thy form and hue!

Bewildering sounds, such as Spring wakens to

Shook in its folds and through my heart its power

Sped trackless as the immemorable hour

When birth's dark portal groaned and all was new

But a veiled woman followed, and she caught

The banner round its staff, to furl and cling

Then plucked a feather from the bearer's wing

And held it to his lips that stirred it not

And said to me, Behold, there is no breath

I and this Love are one, and I am Death