Explore "Love and Death" by W.B. Yeats on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Behold the flashing waters, / A cloven, dancing jet, / That from the milk-white marble / For ever foam and fret; / Far off in drowsy valleys / Where the meadow-saffrons blow, / The feet of summer dabble / In their coiling calm and slow.
The banks are worn for ever / By a people sadly gay: / A Titan, with loud laughter, / Made them of fire and clay.
Go ask the springing flowers, / And the flowing air above, / What are the twin-born waters, / And they'll answer Death and Love.
With wreaths of withered flowers / Two lonely spirits wait, / With wreaths of withered flowers, / 'Fore paradise's gate.
They may not pass the portal, / Poor earth-enkindled pair, / Though sad is many a spirit / Το pass and leave them there / Still staring at their flowers, / That dull and faded are.
If one should rise beside thee, / The other is not far.
Go ask the youngest angel, / She will say with bated breath, / By the door of Mary's garden / Are the spirits Love and Death.