The Night Land

And so we twain were together; and Love seemed that it had made a truce

with Death in the air about us, that we be undisturbed; for there came a

drowse of rest even upon my tense heart, that had known nothing but a

dreadful pain through the weary hours.

And I whispered my love silently to My Beautiful One, and her eyes

answered; and the strangely beautiful and terrible moments passed by

into the hush of eternity. And suddenly, Mirdath My Beautiful

One, spoke,--whispering something.

And I stooped gently to hark; and Mine Own spoke again; and lo! it was

to call me by the olden Love Name that had been mine through all the

utter lovely months of our togetherness.

And I began again to tell her of my love, that should pass beyond death;

and lo! in that one moment of time, the light went out of her eyes; and

My Beautiful One lay dead in mine arms ... My Beautiful One....