On White Alba Isle near Danube shore
There dwells Patroclus ever more
Where seabirds dip their glistening wings
To sweep the temples of the kings

Heroes who three times kept their word
Or whomever fickle gods preferred
These walk this island of white stone
Regretting lives of blood and bone

 

At death's bare step Patroclus stands

And looks blind across the shadow lands

Grieving hard for childhood's friend

Whose breath has not yet reached its end

Thus does Patroclus with flowered crown
Wearing pale funerary gown
Walk ivory cliffs and drown brown eyes
Calling o'er sea and lonely skies:

O where Achilles with loving heart?
I cannot live in death apart
No, you must come and bide with me
In Elysium beside the sea.

 

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