SWEETEST, in desperate hours br Of clouds and lightning and rain, br You came like a vision of flowers br And summer and song once again: br You came, and I could not receive you, br Seared in my flesh, in my sight. br I heedlessly turned back to leave you; br We passed on into the night. br (Heart, soul and all, sweet, never to sever, Love me for ever!) br Dearest, in hours of twilight, br Terrible, silent and lone, br When the light, long sought for as my light br And found, for ever seemed gone — br When the hope of the love-dream of boyhood br Passed sad with unknowing rebuff, br With your passionate patience and joyhood br You came, O my Priestess of Love! br (Heart, soul and all, dear, never to sever, Love me for ever!) br With your lips to mine deathly-reposing, br You kissed back the blood and the sighs: br You lit up my tired eyes unclosing br With the light of your beautiful eyes. br You held me close-pressed to your bosom, br Your heart to my heart, beating strong, br In mine eyes put your life like a blossom, br Put my love in your lips like a song! br (Heart, soul and all, sweet, never to sever, br Love me for ever!) br Dearest, of my heart-blood's Evangel br I hail you Queen, and of me: br Sweetest, I revere you Archangel br Of the better time that shall be.