But so God would not have me die ; 
Her deadly lips relax and fade, 
Her body slackens with a sigh 
Reluctant, like a maid. 
 
I said :  O vampire Lover, weep, 
Who cannot follow me above, 
Though Death may masquerade as Sleep, 
And Lust laugh out like Love. 
 
But God’s strong arms set under me 
Lifted my spirit through the air 
Beyond the wide supernal sea, 
Beyond the veil of vair. 
 
God said :  My ways are sweet and deep ; 
The sceptres and the swords thereof 
Change :  for Death’s face is fair as Sleep ; 
And Lust is clean as Love. 
 
I slept upon His breast ;  and Death 
Came like Sleep’s angel, and I died, 
And tasted the Lethean breath. 
There was a voice that cried : 
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