Volume I Part 26 (2/2)

And does a cheek, like any sea-sh.e.l.l rosed, Or clear as widowed sky, seem most divine?

No matter, so I taste forgetfulness.

And if the devil snare me, body and mind, Here gratefully I score:- he seemed kind, When not a soul would comfort my distress!

O sweet new world, in which I rise new made!

O Lady, once I gave love: now I take!

Lady, I must be flattered. Shouldst thou wake The pa.s.sion of a demon, be not afraid.

XXVIII

I must be flattered. The imperious Desire speaks out. Lady, I am content To play with you the game of Sentiment, And with you enter on paths perilous; But if across your beauty I throw light, To make it threefold, it must be all mine.

First secret; then avowed. For I must s.h.i.+ne Envied,--I, lessened in my proper sight!

Be watchful of your beauty, Lady dear!

How much hangs on that lamp you cannot tell.

Most earnestly I pray you, tend it well: And men shall see me as a burning sphere; And men shall mark you eyeing me, and groan To be the G.o.d of such a grand sunflower!

I feel the promptings of Satanic power, While you do homage unto me alone.

XXIX

Am I failing? For no longer can I cast A glory round about this head of gold.

Glory she wears, but springing from the mould; Not like the consecration of the Past!

Is my soul beggared? Something more than earth I cry for still: I cannot be at peace In having Love upon a mortal lease.

I cannot take the woman at her worth!

Where is the ancient wealth wherewith I clothed Our human nakedness, and could endow With spiritual splendour a white brow That else had grinned at me the fact I loathed?

A kiss is but a kiss now! and no wave Of a great flood that whirls me to the sea.

But, as you will! we'll sit contentedly, And eat our pot of honey on the grave.

x.x.x

What are we first? First, animals; and next Intelligences at a leap; on whom Pale lies the distant shadow of the tomb, And all that draweth on the tomb for text.

Into which state comes Love, the crowning sun: Beneath whose light the shadow loses form.

We are the lords of life, and life is warm.

Intelligence and instinct now are one.

But nature says: 'My children most they seem When they least know me: therefore I decree That they shall suffer.' Swift doth young Love flee, And we stand wakened, s.h.i.+vering from our dream.

Then if we study Nature we are wise.

Thus do the few who live but with the day: The scientific animals are they. - Lady, this is my sonnet to your eyes.

x.x.xI

This golden head has wit in it. I live Again, and a far higher life, near her.

Some women like a young philosopher; Perchance because he is diminutive.

For woman's manly G.o.d must not exceed Proportions of the natural nursing size.

Great poets and great sages draw no prize With women: but the little lap-dog breed, Who can be hugged, or on a mantel-piece Perched up for adoration, these obtain Her homage. And of this we men are vain?

Of this! 'Tis ordered for the world's increase!

Small flattery! Yet she has that rare gift To beauty, Common Sense. I am approved.

It is not half so nice as being loved, And yet I do prefer it. What's my drift?

x.x.xII

Full faith I have she holds that rarest gift To beauty, Common Sense. To see her lie With her fair visage an inverted sky Bloom-covered, while the underlids uplift, Would almost wreck the faith; but when her mouth (Can it kiss sweetly? sweetly!) would address The inner me that thirsts for her no less, And has so long been languis.h.i.+ng in drouth, I feel that I am matched; that I am man!

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