A Refrain
by Thomas Bailey Aldrich
High in a tower she sings,
I, passing by beneath,
Pause and listen, and catch
These words of passionate breath --Asphodel, flower of Life; amaranth, flower of Death!
Sweet voice, sweet unto tears!
What is this that she saith?
Poignant, mystical -- hark!
Again, with passionate breath --Asphodel, flower of Life; amaranth, flower of Death!
Source:
Unguarded Gates: And Other PoemsCopyright 1895
Houghton, Mifflin And Company,Boston And New York