Poem by Madison Julius Cawein

Semper Idem

1

Hold up thy head and crush
Thy heart's despair;
From thy wan temples brush
The tear-wet hair.

2

Look on me thus as I
Gaze upon thee;
Nor question how nor why
Such things can be.

3

Thou thought'st it love! - poor fool!
That which was lust!
Which made thee, beautiful,
Vile as the dust!

4

Thy flesh I craved, thy face! -
Love shrinks at this -
Now on thy lips to place
One farewell kiss! -

5

Weep not, but die! - 'tis given -
And so - farewell! -
Die! - that which makes death heaven,
Makes life a hell.

1. The Iron Cross
2. In the Mountains
3. The Battle
4. Night and Rain
5. Frost in May

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