“HE THAT LOOKETH”

Yea, she and I have broken God's command,

And in His sight are branded with our shame.

And yet I do not even know her name,

Nor ever in my life have touched her hand

Or brushed her garments. But I chanced to stand

Beside her in the throng! A sweet, swift flame

Shot from her flesh to mine — and hers the blame

Of willing looks that fed it; aye, that fanned

The glow within me to a hungry fire.

There was an invitation in her eyes.

Had she met mine with coldness or surprise,

I had not plunged on headlong in the mire

Of amorous thought. The flame leaped high and higher;

Her breath and mine pulsated into sighs,

And soft glance melted into glance kiss-wise,

And in God's sight both yielded to desire.