Beata Beatrix

Lay your head back; and now, kiss me again!
Kneel there, and do not kiss me; let me hold
Your cheeks between my hands; your cheeks are cold
And all your chin tightens, as if with pain,
And your eyes close upon the ecstasy,
Like one who dies in the agony of peace.
So I have seen the face of Beatrice,
In pictures, dead, and in a memory
Seeing the face of Dante out of heaven.
O, out of heaven, when for my sake you lean,
Till not a breath of the world may come between
Our lips that are our souls, and all the seven
Delighted heavens lean down with you, to bless
The sacrament of joy, then, with such eyes,
Closed on so still a new-born Paradise,
You endure the martyrdom of happiness.