University of Virginia Library


58

LII. MY LADY'S SOUL

My lady's soul is given to me to keep:
It shall be mine with perfect triumph pure;
With dawning revelation sweet and sure;
With ecstasy unutterable and deep.
Once all its glory flamed on me through sleep—
But next in waking wonderment her soul
Shall yield at once to mine, and mine control:
Our spirits shall laugh as one, as one shall weep.
This perfect passionate consummation waits,
More glorious for all the sorrow past,
Close hidden behind our sufferings' silent gates:
My lady's look shall seek mine at the last.
Then shall I reach the passionate soul within;
Untouched—unstained:—left white for me to win.