Is there within thy heart a need
That mine cannot fulfil?
One chord that any other hand
Could better wake or still?
Speak now--lest at some future day my whole life wither and decay.

Lives there within thy nature bid
The demon-spirit Change,
Shedding a passing glory still
On all things new and strange?--
It may not be thy fault alone--but shield my heart against thy own.

Couldst thou withdraw thy hand one day
And answer to my claim,
That Fate, and that to-day's mistake,
Not thou--had been to blame?
Some soothe their conscience thus: but thou, wilt surely warn and save me
now.

Nay, answer not--I dare not hear,
The words would come too late;
Yet I would spare thee all remorse,
So, comfort thee, my Fate--
Whatever on my heart may fall--remember I would risk it all!




VERSE: THE THREE RULERS