You promise heavens free from strife, br Pure truth, and perfect change of will; br But sweet, sweet is this human life, br So sweet, I fain would breathe it still; br Your chilly stars I can forgo, br This warm kind world is all I know. br br You say there is no substance here, br One great reality above: br Back from that void I shrink in fear, br And child-like hide myself in love: br Show me what angels feel. Till then br I cling, a mere weak man, to men. br br You bid me lift my mean desires br From faltering lips and fitful veins br To sexless souls, ideal quires, br Unwearied voices, wordless strains: br My mind with fonder welcome owns br One dear dead friend's remember'd tones. br br Forsooth the present we must give br To that which cannot pass away; br All beauteous things for which we live br By laws of time and space decay. br But O, the very reason why br I clasp them, is because they die.