So the days went by, and the Summer wore Its hot heart out; and, a mighty slayer, The Autumn harried the land and shore, And the world grew red with its wrecks; then grayer Than ghosts of the dreams of the nevermore. The sheaves of the Summer had long been bound; The harvests of Autumn had long been past; And the snows of the Winter lay deep around, When the hard news came and I knew at last; And the reigning woe of my heart was crowned. So I sought her here: the old Earl's bride: In the ancient room, at the oriel dreaming, Pale as the blooms in her hair; and, wide, The dented satin, flung stormily, gleaming Like beaten silver, twilight-dyed. I marked as I stole to her side that tears Were vaguely large in her beautiful eyes; That the loops of pearls on her throat, and years-- Old lace on her bosom were heaved with sighs: And I said to her softly:--"It appears"-- Then stopped with, it seemed, my soul in my eyes-- "That you are not happy, Valora of Verne! There is that at your heart which--well, denies These mocking mummeries.--Live and learn!-- And is it the truth or only lies?-- "You must hear me now! whom I oft with my heart,-- In words of the soul, that are silent in speech,-- Whispered my love; too sacred for art; But yours never heard--for I could not reach Yours in that world of which you are part. "That world, where I saw you as one afar Sees palms and waters, and knows that sands, Pitiless sands, before him are; Yet follows ever with reaching hands Till he sinks at last.--You were my star, "My hope, my heaven!--I loved you!... Life Is less than nothing to me!"... She turned, With a wild look, saying--"Now I am his wife You come and tell me!--Indeed you are learned In the unheard language of hearts!"... A knife, As she ceased and leaned on a cabinet,-- A curve of scintillant steel keen, cold,-- Fell, icily clashing: a curio met Among Asian antiques, bronze and gold, Mystical; curiously graven and set. A Bactrian dagger, whose slightest prick, Through its ancient poison, was death, I knew.-- If true that she loved me--then!--And quick To the unspoken thought she replied, "'Tis true! I have loved you long, and my soul was sick, "Sick for the love that has made me weak, Weak to your will even now!"--And more She said, in my arms, that I will not speak-- And the dagger there on the polished floor Ever her eyes, while she spoke, would seek. "'And it came to pass on the wedding-day'"-- Then my lips for a moment were crushed to hers-- "'That they found her dead in her bridal array,'" She sang; then said, "_You_ finish the verse! Finish the song, for you know the way."