II.— LOVE THINKING.

What lifts her in my thought so far

Beyond all else? Let Love not err!

‘ Tis that which all right women are,

But which I'll know in none but her.

She is to me the only Ark

Of that high mystery which locks

The lips of joy, or speaks in dark

Enigmas and in paradox;

That potent charm, which none can fly,

Nor would, which makes me bond and free,

Nor can I tell if first‘ twas I

Chose it, or it elected me;

Which, when I look intentest, lo,

Cheats most mine eyes, albeit my heart,

Content to feel and not to know,

Perceives it all in every part;

I kiss its cheek; its life divine

Exhales from its resplendent shroud;

Ixion's fate reversed is mine,

Authentic Juno seems a cloud;

I feel a blessed warmth, I see

A bright circumference of rays,

But darkness, where the sun should be,

Fills admiration with amaze;

And when, for joy's relief, I think

To fathom with the line of thought

The well from which I, blissful, drink,

The spring's so deep I come to nought.

‘ I saw you take his kiss!’‘'Tis true.’

‘ O, modesty!’‘'Twas strictly kept:

He thought me asleep; at least, I knew

He thought I thought he thought I slept.’