III
Kiss me at least! We always were good friends—
Kiss me for old times' sake—Kiss me just once!
I know this ends—as every sweet thing ends!
But—say you are not angry! Ere you pounce,
Forgive me! You could make me glad to die,
I think, if you would only kill me kindly.
Just one swift razor-stroke—cut low!—and I
Would pass the portal happily and blindly.
Yes! I would like to think the fountain sprang
Straight from my throat and slaked your aching thirst,
Shot to your hot red heart one red hot pang,
Then left you cool and smiling as at first.
I give you freely my heart's agony.
But oh! oh! speak to me! do speak to me!
Kiss me for old times' sake—Kiss me just once!
I know this ends—as every sweet thing ends!
But—say you are not angry! Ere you pounce,
Forgive me! You could make me glad to die,
I think, if you would only kill me kindly.
Just one swift razor-stroke—cut low!—and I
Would pass the portal happily and blindly.
Yes! I would like to think the fountain sprang
Straight from my throat and slaked your aching thirst,
Shot to your hot red heart one red hot pang,
Then left you cool and smiling as at first.
I give you freely my heart's agony.
But oh! oh! speak to me! do speak to me!
— 103 —
