Jephthah and Other Mysteries

LYRICAL AND DRAMATIC. But on their foam did revel The likeness of a devil To work me bitter evil, This unredeeming pain. Here cruel winds and biting Descend upon the wold ; Here frost and snow are smiting The sons of earth with cold. The raw air steams and shivers Above the sluggish rivers, And birds are dumb, the givers Of melodies untold. Here death has quite forgotten An eager lover waits To pass in yonder rotten Black boat his icy gates. He will not free his lover Till Proserpine discover How near he hangs above her, And yearns towards the Fates. Nor life nor death will hear him, Nor God nor Satan aid ; Though Love no more endear him, Nor Passion make afraid. Too cold, too calm, too holy He stands, consuming slowly In the strong flame that wholly Absorbs his vital shade. 173