SONG BEFORE DEATH
20 lines✦
FROM THE FRENCH) 1795 Sweet mother, in a minute's spanDeath parts thee and my love of thee;Sweet love, that yet art living man,Come back, true love, to comfort me.Back, ah, come back! ah wellaway!But my love comes not any day. As roses, when the warm West blows,Break to full flower and sweeten spring,My soul would break to a glorious roseIn such wise at his whispering.In vain I listen; wellaway!My love says nothing any day. You that will weep for pity of loveOn the low place where I am lain,I pray you, having wept enough,Tell him for whom I bore such painThat he was yet, ah! wellaway!My true love to my dying day.
✦