A Prayer For Light.

I.         Oh, give me light, to-day, or let me die, -         The light of love, the love-light of the sky, -         That I, at length, may see my darling's face                                  One minute's space.     II.         Have I not wept to know myself so weak         That I can feel, not see, the dimpled cheek,         The lips, the eyes, the sunbeams that enfold                                  Her locks of gold?     III.         Have I not sworn that I will not be wed,         But mate my soul with hers on my death-bed?         The soul can see, - for souls are seraphim, -                                  When eyes are dim.     IV.         Oh, hush! she comes. I know her. She is nigh.         She brings me death, true heart, and I will die.         She brings me love, for love and life are one                                  Beyond the sun.     V.         This is the measure, this, of all my joys:         Life is a curse and Death's a counterpoise.         Give me thy hand, O sweet one, let me know                                  Which path I go.     VI.         I cannot die if thou be not a-near,         To lead me on to Life's appointed sphere.         O spirit-face, O angel, with thy breath                                  Kiss me to death!