I SEE thee, gliding towards me with slow pace br Across the azure fields of Paradise, br Where thine each footstep makes a star arise. br So from this heart's once void but infinite space br Each strange sweet touch of thy celestial grace br In the old mortal life, struck out some spark br To light the world, though all my heaven lay dark. br O Beatrice, cypresses enlace br My laurels: none have grown save tear-bedewed-- br Salt tears that sank into the earth unviewed, br And sprang up green to form a crown of bays. br Take it! At thy dear feet I lay my all, br What men my honors, virtues, glories, call: br I lived, loved, suffered, sung--for thy sole praise.