Then of the Thee in Me who works behind
The Veil, I lifted up my hands to find
A Lamp amid the Darkness; and I heard,
As from Without---"The Me Within Thee Blind!"
Then to the Lip of this poor earthen Urn
I lean'd, the Secret of my Life to learn:
And Lip to Lip it murmur'd---"While you live
Drink!---for, once dead, you never shall return."
I think the Vessel, that with fugitive Articulation answer'd,
once did live, And drink;
and Ah! the passive Lip I kiss'd, How many Kisses
might it take---and give!
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