The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe :: :: University of Virginia Library

I have known various loves of women, One
Gave all her soul (she said), but kept intact
Her marble lips, and ever seemed to shun
Love's blandishments, as if his lightest act
Were fatal to his life. Another gave
All luxury of love that woman's art
Could lend in aid of Beauty's kisses—save
What she, alas! had not—a loving heart.
Poor, dear, dead flowers! One with no root in earth;
And one no breath of Heaven's sustaining air;
No marvel briefly they survived their birth;
And then my true-love came (O wondrous fair
Beyond the twain!) whose soul and sense unite
In perfect bloom for Love's supreme delight.