Ah, if I could, I'd dwell with you tonight,
And hold your hand in mine and pity you,
And smooth your prison pillow, and give you strength,
And bide with you till morning crossed the bars.

If I were Sleep, I'd fly to you this night,
And give you dreams, and such profound repose
That slavery were sweet, and that bare cell
A happy place to cradle you to rest.

And were I Death, I still would come to you,
Calm in my might and cold imperious sway,
And I would enter; who would stay my path?
And bend and kiss you, bid you follow me.