Liebes-Tod + 

I + 

Thy splendour-lighted face before mine eyes + 

Shines like a flaming sunset evermore; + 

Thee only I behold on the earth’s floor, + 

Thee only I behold within the skies; + 

Thy coming on is like a conqueror, + 

Before thy footsteps the world’s glory dies, + 

Within mine ears thy voice doth ever rise + 

Like a loud ocean beating on the shore. + 

Thou art made kindred with eternity, + 

Daughter of glory, daughter of consolations; + 

Thy face is set above the constellations; + 

Of Death! O love! be I made one with thee, + 

That on thy holy lips and in thy love + 

The world may perish and the light thereof! + 

II + 

Lo, now my life is gone unto eclipse + 

Upon thy perilous bosom; lo, I die, + 

Faint with the utter whole of exstasy, + 

With unassuaged lips against thy lips, + 

That can give no more joy; lo, at the place + 

Of utter joy, lo, at joy’s far-off throne, + 

Which none shall reach, with eyes now weary grown, + 

I lie slain at its utmost golden base. + 

Yea, we have call’d the white stars to behold + 

Our pale and fainting faces sick with joy; + 

O regal lips that shall death’s sting destroy, + 

I have suck’d bare life’s cup upon thy breath! + 

Kiss me to death! + 

Lo, now our lips are cold, + 

Wilt thou not bring new joy, O Death, O Death? + 