Upon wide cushions stretched at ease She lolled in garments filmy fine, Which but enhanced each rounded line; A living picture, framed to please.

She lolled in garments filmy fine,

Which but enhanced each rounded line;

A bold electric eye of light Leered through its ruddy screen of lace And feasted on her form and face As some wine-crimsoned roué might.

Leered through its ruddy screen of lace

And feasted on her form and face

From wall and niche, nude nymph beguiled Fair goddesses of world-wide fame, But Psyche's self was put to shame By one who from the cushions smiled.

Fair goddesses of world-wide fame,

But Psyche's self was put to shame

Exotic blossoms from a vase Their sweet narcotic breath exhaled; The lights, the objects round her paled— She lost the sense of time and place.

Their sweet narcotic breath exhaled;

The lights, the objects round her paled—

She seemed to float upon the air, Untrammeled, unrestricted, free; And rising from a vapory sea She saw a form divinely fair.

Untrammeled, unrestricted, free;

And rising from a vapory sea

A beauteous being in whose face Shone all things sweet and true and good. The innocence of maidenhood, The motherhood of all the race.

Shone all things sweet and true and good.

The innocence of maidenhood,

The warmth which comes from heavenly fire, The strength which leads the weaker man To climb to God's Eternal plan And conquer and control desire.

The strength which leads the weaker man

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