A nightmare terrifies my mind tonight.
Please tell me it’s not true, that she who gave
me pain, yes, yet such hope, is in an early grave;
not she, my kind and guiding light!
Why does she fly to me herself to bear
this dreadful news? How is it that her ghost
acts as the messenger, and not some human post?
Dear God, forbid it; hear my prayer.
I live in hope to see, despite these fears,
her face in flesh, whose spectre now appears.
But if my life-source, honoured and beloved
throughout the world, her lodging has removed
and taken up abode in an eternal home,
I pray my death will quickly come.
