A Woman's Last Word

I.

Let's contend no more, Love,

 Strive nor weep:

All be as before, Love,

 —-Only sleep!

II.

What so wild as words are?

 I and thou

In debate, as birds are,

 Hawk on bough!

III.

See the creature stalking

 While we speak!

Hush and hide the talking,

 Cheek on cheek!

IV.

What so false as truth is,

 False to thee?

Where the serpent's tooth is

 Shun the tree—-

V.

Where the apple reddens

 Never pry—-

Lest we lose our Edens,

 Eve and I.

VI.

Be a god and hold me

 With a charm!

Be a man and fold me

 With thine arm!

VII.

Teach me, only teach, Love

 As I ought

I will speak thy speech, Love,

 Think thy thought—-

VIII.

Meet, if thou require it,

 Both demands,

Laying flesh and spirit

 In thy hands.

IX.

That shall be to-morrow

 Not to-night:

I must bury sorrow

 Out of sight:

X

—-Must a little weep, Love,

 (Foolish me!)

And so fall asleep, Love,

 Loved by thee.