HE gave her neither rest nor peace Until his lips drew her sweet breath,— But while she drooped against his breast A Third stood at their side, Black Death. And when the lover went his way, Invisible and hollow-eyed Into his castle followed him That Shape, and brought to naught his pride. The castle lights shone pale and dim. They bore the lover on his bier— The peasant maiden kissed his eyes And the Black Angel followed her. The Lord sent down a Form of Light To ask Death why he smote unbid. ... Death answered the eight-winged messenger, His face in his black mantle hid— "True love bound prince and peasant maid; Yet Rank forbade the marriage-tie ... But now they can be happy both: The Grave knows neither Low nor High!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM by RICHARD ALDINGTON A POST-IMPRESSIONIST SUSURRATION FOR THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER by HAYDEN CARRUTH IMAGINARY ANCESTORS: THE GIRAFFE WOMAN OF BURMA by MADELINE DEFREES DAT GAL O' MINE by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON CRITIC AND POET by EMMA LAZARUS ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, EXEKIEL, DANIEL by MARIANNE MOORE |