A breath                         A breath
   And a sigh, -                     And a sigh, - 
    How we fly                       How we fly
From Death!                      From Death! - 
                        
A palm                           Sing on
    Warm pressed,                    O our bird!
    As we guessed                    Thou art heard
Love's psalm.                    Alone.
                        
A word                           We know
    Breathed close,                  No life,
    And then rose                    Neither strife,
The bird                         Nor woe,
                        
That cowers                      Nor aught
    In the wood                      But this hour, - 
    'Mid a flood                     Love's dower
Of flowers,                      Dear bought. - 
                        
Till Love's                      Death's voice
    Heart sighs,                     Is away,
    Like the cries                   And we may
Of doves, -                      Rejoice.
                        
Then sings                       The bird
    His song,                        Of our song
    Beating strong                   May be long
White wings, -                   Unheard,
                        
Heart clear                      But, Dear,
    Though faint,                    Bend low;
    Like a saint                     It is now
In prayer. -                     We hear.
                        
He reigns                        Dear Heart
    In power,                        Your kiss! - 
    And Love's hour                  After this
Disdains.                        We part.
                        
Forget                           A breath
    For a day                        And a sigh, - 
    All his sway,                    How we fly
Life's fret.                     From Death!