free-verse9 lines
To Giulia Grisi
by Nathaniel Parker WillisWhen 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