Chapter II

I would I had lain with my love to-night;
Her eyes trembled for her body said,
"I have smoothed a pillow and made a bed"--
But I smiled against it
And turned away my head
To come into the cold starlight.

I would I had lain with my love to-night,
For I know how flowers are shed,
And the cynical scintillant stars are dead--
Dead, dead utterly!
Yet I turned away my head
To come into the cold starlight.

I would I had lain with my love to-night!
Oh, indolent Gods, we too can tread
On the silent spirits, the uncomforted!
She did not reproach me,
Tho I turned away my head
And came into the starlight.