HEINRICH HEINE - Repositories

58 l^etne*
THE VALE OF TEARS.
The night-wind through the dormer
howls.
And two poor creatures lay
In a garret upon a truckle-bed.
And wasted and wan were they.
And one unto the other says :
" Oh, gather me into your arm.
And press your lips, dear, close to mine,
I want you to make me warm."
And this is what the other says:
" When I look into your eyes.
Hunger and cold and want are forgot.
All my earthly trouble flies."
Much did they kiss, they wept still
more,
Clasp'd hand to hand, and sighed.
They laughed very often, and even sang,
Then their talk into silence died.
Next morning the police inspector came.
And there by that woful bed
He with the parish doctor stood.
Who certified both were dead.
"The cruel weather," said his report,
•• Combined with inanition.
Has caused the collapse of both, —at
least,
Has hastened that condition."