Weep him dead and mourn as you may,
Me, I sing as I must:
Blessèd be Death, that cuts in marble
What would have sunk to dust!

Blessèd be Death, that took my love
And buried him in the sea,
Where never a lie nor a bitter word
Will out of his mouth at me.

This I have to hold to my heart,
This to take by the hand:
Sweet we were for a summer month
As the sun on the dry white sand;

Mild we were for a summer month
As the wind from over the weirs.
And blessèd be Death, that hushed with salt
The harsh and slovenly years!

Who builds her a house with love for timber
Builds her a house of foam.
And I'd liefer be bride to a lad gone down
Than widow to one safe home.