There grew desire passionate and strong

For body's mating and its testimony,

Hearts' intimacy, perfect, full and free.

And Helen for her heart's ease did deny

Her girdled Goddess of the beamy eye,

Saying, "Come you down, Mistress of sleek loves

And panting nights: your service of bought doves

And honey-hearted wine may cost too dear.

What hast thou done for me since first my ear

With thy sly music thou didst sign and seal

Apprentice to thy mystery, teach me feel

Thy fierce divinity in the trembling touch

Of open lips? Served I not thee too much

In Kranai and in Sparta my demesne,

Too much in wide-wayed Ilios, Eastern Queen?

Yes, but it was too much a thousandfold,

For what was I but leman bought and sold?

[39]

"For woman craved what mercy hath man brought,

What face a woman for a woman sought?

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