56 LOVE’S LOVERS

Nor had undying melodies Wailed soft as love may sing of these That are love’s martyrs,—Héloïse, Brunhilda, Helen, Mélusine, Antiopê, and Magdalene,— Ysoude, Salomê, Semelê, Lucretia, and Penelopê. What of these ladies that have been Exalted by stern songs wherein Beats strong the valorous heart of Love And all the power and pride thereof— Unto what haven are they sped? Because they are not wholly dead: The Land of Matters Unforgot They walk at will, where time is not And death has no dominion,— And there they never view the sun, But through a vague and amiable Hushed twilight pass, and, passing, tell Their tale of ancient miseries, And neither laugh nor weep. To these, Whose lives were troubled harmonies Whereby the heart of Love yet is Enamored, Love at last accords An end of love. To these, the Lords Of Life and Death, that kindled lust, And wrath, and joy frail as blown dust, And faith like flame that braves the wind; And kindled for each sin they sinned Fame, and for every misery fame Set as a flaring star to flame And blaze and glow above the seas Where light love founders: have granted peace Unvexed by heart-beats.—Thus they pass, Desiring naught of life that was Exhausted of all things long ago,— With void eyes, emptied of woe, Emptied of joy, pass hand-in-hand, Being shadows in a shadow land. The story of their love is writ In song; the valiant sound of it Endures unaltered evermore: But we, that love as heretofore These loved, must perish, as they, and be Forgotten by all men utterly. I cry Content! Our names will die. I cry Content! and cheerily, Félise. Our love-songs are unsung, Yet we have loved. We have been young In April and in unison ... Oblivious of oblivion, And heedless of each after-year, How well we lived our verses, dear!