'GIVE me thy dreams,' she said, and I br With empty hands and very poor, br Watched my fair flowery visions die br Upon the temple's marble floor. br br br 'Give joy,' she said. I let joy go; br I saw with cold, unclouded eyes br The crimson of the sunset glow br Across the disenchanted skies. br br br 'Give me thy youth,' she said. I gave, br And, sudden-clouded, died the sun, br And on the green mound of a grave br Fell the slow raindrops, one by one. br br br 'Give love,' she cried. I gave that too. br 'Give beauty.' Beauty sighed and fled; br For what on earth should beauty do, br When love, who was her life, was dead? br br br She took the balm of innocent tears br To hiss upon her altar-coal; br She took the hopes of all my years, br And, at the last, she took my soul.