WITHIN the kingdom of my soul I bid you enter, Love, to-day; Submit my life to your control, And give my Heart up to your sway. My Past, whose light and life is flown, Shall live through memory for you still; Take all my Present for your own, And mould my Future to your will. One only thought remains apart, And will forever so remain; There is one Chamber in my heart Where even you might knock in vain. A haunted Chamber: -- long ago I closed it, and I cast the key Where deep and bitter waters flow, Into a vast and silent sea. Dear, it is haunted. All the rest Is yours; but I have shut that door Forever now. 'Tis even best That I should enter it no more. No more. It is not well to stay With ghosts; their very look would scare Your joyous, loving smile away; -- So never try to enter there. Check, if you love me, all regret That this one thought remains apart: -- Now let us smile, dear, and forget The haunted Chamber in my Heart. |