seal with a seal of gold

the scroll of a life unrolled;

swathe him deep in his purple stole;

ashes of diamonds, crystalled coal,

drops of gold in each scented fold.

crimson wings of the little death,

stir his hair with your silken breath;

flaming wings of sins to be,

splendid pinions of prophecy,

smother his eyes with hues and dyes,

while the white moon spins and the winds arise,

and the stars drip through the skies.

wave, o wings of the little death!

seal his sight and stifle his breath,

cover his breast with the gemmed shroud pressed;

from north to north, from west to west,

wave, o wings of the little death!

till the white moon reels in the cracking skies,

and the ghosts of god arise.