The Vow

THE VOW

"When the waters of the river climb the snowy-covered peaks; when wheat and barley sprout between the moving ocean hills;

"When pine-trees take their birth from lakes and water-lilies spring from stones, and when the sun grows black and the moon falls on the grass;

"Then but then alone, shall I take another mistress, then shall I forget thee, Bilitis, soul of my life, heart of my heart."

He told me so! he told me so! What matters all the world,--where is the madder ecstasy to match itself beside my own!