IV.

Lovers that drug themselves for ecstasy

Seek love too closely in an overdose,

When the sweet spasm turns to agony

And the quick limbs are still and the eyes close.

I too, a fool, desired — to make love strong —

Absence and parting but the measure's brimmed,

The dose is over-poured, the time's too long

Already, though two nights have hardly dimmed

My lonely eyes with the elusive sleep.

O I'll remember, I'll not wish again

To go with ardent limbs into this deep

Sea of dejection, this dull mere of pain:

We'll love our safer loves upon the shore

And quest for inexperienced joys no more.