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Hell, if my sight those looks a moment misses–
Hell, when my sight upon those looks is turned–
The avenging furies madden in thy kisses,
That slept in his what time my lips they burned.
Out from their graves his oaths spoke back in thunder!
The perjury stalked like murder in the sun–
Forever–God!–sense, reason, soul, sunk under–
The deed was done!

Francis, O Francis! league on league shall chase thee
The shadows hurrying grimly on thy flight–
Still with their icy arms they shall embrace thee,
And mutter thunder in thy dream’s delight!

Down from the soft stars, in their tranquil glory,
Shall look thy dead child with a ghastly stare;
That shape shall haunt thee in its cerements gory,
And scourge thee back from heaven–its home is there!

Lifeless–how lifeless!–see, oh see, before me
It lies cold–stiff–O God!–and with that blood
I feel, as swoops the dizzy darkness o’er me
Mine own life mingled–ebbing in the flood–

Hark, at the door they knock–more loud within me–
More awful still–its sound the dread heart gave!
Gladly I welcome the cold arms that win me–
Fire, quench thy tortures in the icy grave!

Francis–a God that pardons dwells in heaven–
Francis, the sinner–yes–she pardons thee–
So let my wrongs unto the earth be given
Flame seize the wood!–it burns–it kindles–see!
There–there his letters cast–behold are ashes–
His vows–the conquering fire consumes them here
His kisses–see–see–all are only ashes–
All, all–the all that once on earth were dear!

Trust not the roses which your youth enjoyeth,
Sisters, to man’s faith, changeful as the moon!
Beauty to me brought guilt–its bloom destroyeth
Lo, in the judgment court I curse the boon
Tears in the headsman’s gaze–what tears?–’tis spoken!
Quick, bind mine eyes–all soon shall be forgot–
Doomsman–the lily hast thou never broken?
Pale Doomsman–tremble not!

Footnote: [3] “Und Empfindung soll mein Richtschwert seyn.” A line of great vigor in the original, but which, if literally translated, would seem extravagant in English.

Footnote: [4] Joseph, in the original.