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THE DYING MAN TO HIS BETROTHED, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: One word - 'tis all I ask of thee
Last Line: O christ, who art the gate of heaven!
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina
Subject(s): Death; Grief; Life; Love; Marriage; Dead, The; Sorrow; Sadness; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


One word -- 'tis all I ask of thee;
One word -- and that is little now
That I have learned thy wrong of me;
And thou too art unfaithful -- thou! --
O thou sweet poison, sweetest death,
O honey between serpent's teeth,
Breathe on me with thy scorching breath!

The last poor hope is fleeting now,
And with it life is ebbing fast;
I gaze upon thy cold white brow,
And loathe and love thee to the last.
And still thou keepest silence -- still
Thou look'st on me -- for good or ill
Speak out, that I may know thy will.

Thou weepest, woman, and art pale!
Weep not, for thou shalt soon be free;
My life is ending like a tale
That was -- but never more shall be.
O blessed moments, ye fleet fast,
And soon the latest shall be past,
And she will be content at last.

Nay, tremble not -- I have not cursed
Thy house or mine, or thee or me;
The moment that I saw thee first,
The moment that I first loved thee,
Curse them! alas! -- I can but bless,
In this mine hour of heaviness; --
Nay, sob not so in thy distress!

I have been harsh, thou sayst of me; --
God knows my heart was never so;
It never could be so to thee --
And now it is too late -- I know
Thy grief -- forgive me, love! 'tis o'er,
For I shall never trouble more
Thy life that was so calm before.

I pardon thee -- mayst thou be blest!
Say, wilt thou sometimes think of me?
Oh may I, from my happy rest,
Still look with love on thine and thee,
And may I pray for thee alway,
And for thy Love still may I pray,
Waiting the everlasting Day.

Stoop over me -- ah! this is death!
I scarce can see thee at my side;
Stoop lower -- let me feel thy breath,
O thou, mine own, my promised bride!
Pardon me, love -- I pardon thee,
And may our pardon sealed be
Throughout the long eternity.

The pains of death my senses cover: --
Oh! for His Sake Who died for men,
Be thou more true to this thy lover
Than thou hast been to me -- Amen!
And if he chide thee wrongfully,
One little moment think on me,
And thou wilt bear it patiently.

And now, O God, I turn to Thee:
Thou Only, Father, canst not fail;
Lord, Thou hast tried and broken me,
And yet Thy Mercy shall prevail.
Saviour, through Thee I am forgiven --
Do Thou receive my soul, blood-shriven,
O Christ, Who art the Gate of Heaven!





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