12
LUX E TENEBRIS
Why should thy face for ever
Haunt and scare me with fierce eyes
Wild with the pain and mis'ry
Of despair's unuttered cries?
Haunt and scare me with fierce eyes
Wild with the pain and mis'ry
Of despair's unuttered cries?
I know I wrong'd thee living.
Were thy death, too, at my door,
Thou, beholding my repentance—
Even thou wouldst spare me more.
Were thy death, too, at my door,
Thou, beholding my repentance—
Even thou wouldst spare me more.
And for ever shall the Night
Wipe with gentle hand the sign
Of the sin—and of the anguish—
From every face but mine?
Wipe with gentle hand the sign
Of the sin—and of the anguish—
From every face but mine?
I shriek unto the heavens,
And they send me back my cry;
The stars shine out and mock me
As they hear me ask to die.
And they send me back my cry;
The stars shine out and mock me
As they hear me ask to die.
What can I do or suffer,
What heavier burden bear?
To rid me of the presence
Of the nameless terror there?
What heavier burden bear?
To rid me of the presence
Of the nameless terror there?
Of eyes that once gazed fondly
Into mine, and found reply—
No, not those eyes—I know it—
'Tis a friend's own mockery:
Into mine, and found reply—
No, not those eyes—I know it—
'Tis a friend's own mockery:
