Lady, weeping at the crossroads

Would you meet your love

In the twilight with his greyhounds,

And the hawk on his glove?

Bribe the birds then on the branches,

Bribe them to be dumb,

Stare the hot sun out of heaven

That the night may come.

Starless are the nights of travel,

Bleak the winter wind;

Run with terror all before you

And regret behind

Run until you hear the ocean's

Everlasting cry;

Deep though it may be and bitter

You must drink it dry.

Wear out patience in the lowest

Dungeons of the sea,

Searching through the standard

shipwrecks

For the golden key.

Push on to the world's end, pay the

Dread guard with a kiss;

Cross the rotten bridge that totters

Over the abyss.

There stands the deserted castle

Ready to explore;

Enter, climb the marble staircase

Open the locked door.

Cross thw silent empty ballroom,

Doubt and danger past;

Blow the cobwebs from the mirror

See yourself at last.

Put your hand behind the wainscot,

You have done your part;

Find the penknife there and plunge it

Into your false heart.

W.H. Auden , 1940.