Though things are not, I know there is one thing which is—

Though the oars break, there's hope for us yet—hoist the sail!

Oh, your heart! what's the heart? but your kiss!'

[Pg 384]

XVII

"Then she breaks, she drops down, she lies flat at your feet—

Take her then!" Well, I knew it—what fools are men!

Take the bee by her horns, will your honey prove sweet?

Sweet is grass—will you pasture your cows in a fen?

Oh, if contraries could but once meet!

XVIII

Love you call it? Some twitch in the moon's face (observe),

Wet blink of her eyelid, tear dropt about dewfall,

Cheek flushed or obscured—does it make the sky swerve?

Fetch the test, work the question to rags, bring to proof all—

Find what souls want and bodies deserve!

XIX

Ah, we know you! Your soul works to infinite ends,

Frets, uses life up for death's sake, takes pains,

Flings down love's self—"but you, bear me witness, my friends!

 Prev. P 13/49 next