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3
to A. H. M.
Ah! I know it, my darling,—but who can say nay to you?
Who can say nay to those eyes when they pray to you?
Who can say nay to those lips when they say to you—
“On a rose, on a glove, on a jewel I am thinking”?
Who can say nay to those eyes when they pray to you?
Who can say nay to those lips when they say to you—
“On a rose, on a glove, on a jewel I am thinking”?
Were we strong, were we wise, had but virtue the hold of us,
Were we cold to behold such a love's glance unblinking,
Were it aught but such stuff as it is, sweet, the mould of us—
Ah! then we might smile and beguile you with smiling,
Yea, then were we proof against all the beguiling,
Of even those eyes and that exquisite lip's curve.
Were we cold to behold such a love's glance unblinking,
Were it aught but such stuff as it is, sweet, the mould of us—
Ah! then we might smile and beguile you with smiling,
Yea, then were we proof against all the beguiling,
Of even those eyes and that exquisite lip's curve.
Great God! what avails? where its honey love sips, nerve
Your soul to denial,—love will sip there again
And again till the end—as it has been it will be:—
Aye, stronger than strength of death's fear love will still be,
Cruel love that but plays with you fast in his chain.
Your soul to denial,—love will sip there again
And again till the end—as it has been it will be:—
Aye, stronger than strength of death's fear love will still be,
Cruel love that but plays with you fast in his chain.
July 26th, 1883.
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