O death, death, death, thou ever-floating cloud,
There are enough unhappy on this earth,
Pass by the happy souls, that love to live:
I pray thee, pass before my light of life,
And shadow all my soul, that I may die.
Thou weighest heavy on the heart within,
Weigh heavy on my eyelids: let me die.

"O mother, hear me yet before I die. I will not die alone, for fiery thoughts Do shape themselves within me, more and more, Whereof I catch the issue, as I hear

Dead sounds at night come from the inmost hills,
Like footsteps upon wool. I dimly see

My far-off doubtful purpose, as a mother
Conjectures of the features of her child

Ere it is born: her child!- -a shudder comes
Across me: never child be born of me,
Unblest, to vex me with his father's eyes!

"O mother, hear me yet before I die. Hear me, O earth. I will not die alone,

Lest their shrill happy laughter come to me
Walking the cold and starless road of Death
Uncomforted, leaving my ancient love
With the Greek woman. I will rise and go
Down into Troy, and ere the stars come forth
Talk with the wild Cassandra, for she says
A fire dances before her, and a sound
Rings ever in her ears of armed men.
What this may be I know not, but I know
That, wheresoe'er I am by night and day,
All earth and air seem only burning fire."

THE SISTERS.

I.

We were two daughters of one race:

She was the fairest in the face:

The wind is blowing in turret and tree. They were together, and she fell; Therefore revenge became me well.

O the Earl was fair to see!

II.

She died: she went to burning flame:

She mix'd her ancient blood with shame.

The wind is howling in turret and tree. Whole weeks and months, and early and late,

To win his love I lay in wait:

O the Earl was fair to see!

III.

I made a feast; I bad him come:

I won his love, I brought him home.

The wind is roaring in turret and tree. And after supper, on a bed,

Upon my lap he laid his head:

O the Earl was fair to see!

IV.

I kiss'd his eyelids into rest:

His ruddy cheek upon my breast.

The wind is raging in turret and tree.

I hated him with the hate of hell,

But I loved his beauty passing well.

O the Earl was fair to see!

V.

I rose up in the silent night:

I made my dagger sharp and bright.

The wind is raving in turret and tree.

As half-asleep his breath he drew,

Three times I stabb'd him thro' and thro'.

O the Earl was fair to see!

VI.

I curl'd and comb'd his comely head,

He look'd so grand when he was dead.

The wind is blowing in turret and tree. I wrapt his body in the sheet,

And laid him at his mother's feet.

O the Earl was fair to see!