Since as the oath was made so must I swing

From bed to bed. But while I stood and wept,

Melted in fruitless sorrow, up she crept

For me, his Goddess, gliding like a snake,

Who wreathed her arms and whispering me go make

The nuptial couch, 'What oath binds love?' did say.

Loathing him, I must go. He had his way,

As well he might who paid that goodly price,

Honour, truth, courage, all, to have his vice:

The which forsook him when those fair things fled;

For though my body hath lain in his bed,

My heart abhors it. And now in truth I wis

My lord's true heart is where my own heart is,

The two together welded and made whole;

And I will go to him and give my soul

And shamed and faded body to his nod,

To spurn or take; and he shall be my God."

Whereat made virgin, as all women are

By love's white purging fire which leaves no scar

Where all was soiled and seamed before the torch

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