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That you laugh as he crawls from your glances,
Or dies in his pain at your feet,
So hopeless, untrusting, despairing,
Now hating the light that was sweet?

Have pity; a hand in its kindness
Once opened the casement to me,
‘Go forth, foolish fly, for your life's sake.
Go forth ! in the night you are free.

‘God's lamps in the Heavens are glowing,
More fair is their lighting than this
That was lit with a spark from man's fingers.
Go forth! lest you die in a kiss.’

The light of the stars could not reach me,
The warmth of your flame on my heart,
Too kind in their pity to wall me,
The fingers that saved were apart.

Have mercy, my life that my death is.
Blind, blind to your shining I fly.
If I shun you, the world is in darkness.
If I seek you, God help me! I die.

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