They brought my fair love out upon a bier— br Out from the dwelling that her smile made sweet, br Out from the life that her life made complete, br Into the glitter of the garish street— br And no man wept, save I, for that dead dear. br And then the dark procession wound along, br Like a black serpent with a snow-white bird br Held in its fangs. I think God said a word br To death, as He in His chill heaven heard br Her voice so sweeter than His seraph’s song. br br And so Death took away her flower-sweet breath br One darkest day of days in a dark year, br And brought to that strong God who had no fear br My own dear love.