My Spectre Around Me

My spectre around me night and day     Like a wild beast guards my way.     My emanation far within     Weeps incessantly for my sin.     A fathomless and boundless deep,     There we wander, there we weep;     On the hungry craving wind     My spectre follows thee behind.     He scents thy footsteps in the snow,     Wheresoever thou dost go     Through the wintry hail and rain.     When wilt thou return again?     Dost thou not in pride and scorn     Fill with tempests all my morn,     And with jealousies and fears     Fill my pleasant nights with tears?     Seven of my sweet loves thy knife     Has bereaved of their life.     Their marble tombs I built with tears     And with cold and shuddering fears.     Seven more loves weep night and day     Round the tombs where my loves lay,     And seven more loves attend each night     Around my couch with torches bright.     And seven more loves in my bed     Crown with wine my mournful head,     Pitying and forgiving all     Thy transgressions, great and small.