Nadir

If we must cheat ourselves with any dream,
Then let it be a dream of nobleness:
Since it is necessary to express
Gall from black grapes-to sew an endless seam
With a rusty needle-chase a spurious gleam
Narrowing to the nothing through the less-
Since life's no better than a bitter guess,
And love's a stranger-let us change the theme.
Let us at least pretend-it may be true-
That we can close our lips on poisonous
Dark wine diluted by the Stygean wave;
And let me dream sublimity in you,
And courage, liberal for the two of us:
Let us at least pretend we can be brave.