Nathaniel Parker Willis

1806-1867 / the USA

To Giulia Grisi

When the rose is brightest,
its bloom will soonest die;
when burns the meteor brightest,
’t will vanish from the sky.
If death but wait until delight
o’errun the heart like wine,
and break the cup when brimming quite,
I die—for thou hast poured to-night
the last drop into mine.
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