CAPTIVITY

Nay, lady, though I love thee, I make pause

Before thy question, and know naught to say;

Art cannot teach me to define the way,

Love led me, nor e'en register Love's cause.

It can but blazon in this verse of mine

What love does for me; what from Love it gains;

What is its quickening; but it refrains

From divination where thy merits shine.

Canst thou, indeed, not tell what wrought in thee

To bring me as a captive to thy feet?

Canst thou not say, “‘ Twas this that made decree

Of conquest; here thy soul with mine did meet?”

Or is it that both stand amazed before

The shrine where thou hast blessed and I adore?