Thus life doth slay,

And death again to life restoreth me;

Strange destiny,

That deals with life and death as with a play!

When in my mind I muse, O Love, upon thy cruelty, To death I flee, In hope therein the end of all to find.

But drawing near That welcome haven in my sea of woe, Such joy I know, That life revives, and still I linger here.