Lady, weeping at the crossroads <br />Would you meet your love <br />In the twilight with his greyhounds, <br />And the hawk on his glove? <br /> <br />Bribe the birds then on the branches <br />Bribe them to be dumb, <br />Stare the hot sun out of heaven <br />That the night may come. <br /> <br />Starless are the night of travel, <br />Bleak the winter wind; <br />Run with terror all before you <br />And regret behind. <br /> <br />Run until you hear the ocean's <br />Everlasting cry; <br />Deep though it may be and bitter <br />You must drink it dry. <br /> <br />Wear out patience in the lowest <br />Dungeons of the sea, <br />Searching through the stranded shipwrecks <br />For the golden key. <br /> <br />Push on to the world's end, pay the <br />Dread guard with a kiss; <br />Cross the rotten bridge that totters <br />Over the abyss. <br /> <br />There stands the deserted castle <br />Ready to explore; <br />Enter, climb the marble staircase <br />Open the locked door. <br /> <br />Cross the silent ballroom, <br />Doubt and danger past; <br />Blow the cobwebs from the mirror <br />See yourself at last. <br /> <br />Put your hand behind the wainscot, <br />You have done your part; <br />Find the penknife there and plunge it <br />Into your false heart.<br /><br />Wystan Hugh Auden<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/lady/
