1. I love the drinking of union though no pleasure in it I find,
And how should youth's own soul delight not in that which wastes his mind?

2. Yet in this love-life joy abides and length thereof for guile,
While in despair nor call nor cry shall nation wake its child.

3. Blame not my passion's lunacy, though false the tryst she plight;
Can any state but quicken thought when fails the promised sight?

4. Death is not death immutable when some last breath of life
Still struggles in the throat of death athwart the kindling knife.

5. I swear though sundered we remain awhile, to meet we yet are fain
Forgets she so her troth to me or memory holds in vain?

6. Vainly denied, our love bears light whereby we're reunited,
Attesting flames no weakling wight has power to hide unaided.

7. Zephyr sighs hotly passionate, whose kindling breath doth burn;
Tear floods enforce, whose droplets fail strained eyelids back to turn.

8. God guard the chest that hides from view, whose bitter secrets dwell
Deep in my wounded liver and their burning pangs compel.