...and after a many summer dies the swan

It withers slowly in thine arms

All night long amorous anthems sung

It's tears on your cheek, history of the fan


Sweet is the breath of night

with charm of earliest birds

Close over us, the silver star, thy guide

Dying embers, our only light

(scorching away mortality

Till the moon rising in clouded majesty)


But see the many-coloured prime retired to rest

Thy long tongued blood demands supplies

Honour and beauty are but dreams

Big alike with wound and dart


Like fiery dews that melt

the swan's soul into the boughs does glide

Flaming swords forbidden

They banish me from you

Remembrance of a bitter loss


Ruined love, when it's built anew

grows fairer, more strong, far greater

While glory crowns so many hatreds crest

Waking, thou wert in thy nakedness

...and after a many summer dies the swan