O heart be quick, this late hour like the first,

And pride, be rook in you to rest upon.

Of all that time will bring you, this is worst,

And will not come again, and now is gone.

Be secret. Dc not call the lonely name

Once here, and now forever set apart.

Be kind. Be full of gifts for every claim

Of pity on your three-times-iron heart,

Cry out the question there's no answer to,

Alone the midnight question, Why? Why? Why?

But to the world hold up your head and lie.

Say time will draw the knife's blade out of you

So slowly that perhaps you need not die-

Though all your listeners know the lie is true.