The First Visitation (Bride Triptych I)

[Intro] [Verse] When sable welkin clos’d the dying day, I stray’d ’mid charnel stones in mute decay; There stood a wight — gaunt, osseous array, Whose fell regard did draw my breath away. Her phalanges long did beckon me full near, Her eldritch gaze laid bare my trembling sprite; I quaff’d the dread that thick’ning hung in air, And bow’d beneath the puissance of Her sight. No leman warm could match that chill embrace, No mortal pulse withstand Her silent art; [Pre-Chorus] Though life yet stirr’d, I felt its slow erase, As She did grave Her seal upon my heart. Thus was I reft by Her sepulchral breath, And made the thrall and votary of Death. [Chorus] O Death, thou pale and dread eternal queen, I quaff’d thy chill as sacramental wine; Though yet I mov’d where living men are seen, My soul was seal’d — no more was wholly mine. [Outro] Now marked I walk, a shadow of my name, A wraith that haunts the margin of thy night; Nor can I breathe until thou claim’st my frame, Enslaved forever to thy cold delight.