around me thundered the deafening noise of the street,

in mourning apparel, portraying majestic distress,

with queenly fingers, just lifting the hem of her dress,

a stately woman passed by with hurrying feet.

agile and noble, with limbs of perfect poise,

ah, how i drank, thrilled through like a being insane,

in her look, a dark sky, from whence springs forth the hurricane,

there lay but the sweetness that charms, and the joy that destroys.

a flash—then the night.... o loveliness fugitive!

whose glance has so suddenly caused me again to live,

shall i not see you again till this life is o'er!

elsewhere, far away ... too late, perhaps never more,

for i know not whither you fly, nor you, where i go,

o soul that i would have loved, and that you know!