University of Virginia Library


205

“THE SOUL'S EMBRACE”

SONNET

Who lives not in the heart of woman, lives
In God's heart never, though the hand may press
God's hand. Who knows not the divine caress
Knows not the holiest rapture God's touch gives.
Who wills to win the most, the most receives:
Who never knew the glory of a rose
Full little of God's inmost glory knows
Or of the height of rapture love achieves.
In holiest pureness seek the kiss divine:
Make all its perfect subtle fragrance thine:
Find God revealed in woman's wondrous face.
Did God make woman for a temptress? Nay,
He moulded neck and bosom to convey
To man the sweetness of the soul's embrace.
July 31, 1901.