Restraint

Dear heart and love! what happiness to sit

And watch the firelight's varying shade and shine

On thy young face; and through those eyes of thine —

As through glad windows — mark fair fancies flit

In sumptuous chambers of thy soul's chaste wit

Like graceful women: then to take in mine

Thy hand, whose pressure brims my heart's divine

Hushed rapture as with music exquisite!

When I remember how thy look and touch

Sway, like the moon, my blood with ecstasy,

I dare not think to what fierce heaven might lead

Thy soft embrace; or in thy kiss how much

Sweet hell,— beyond all help of me,— might be,

Where I were lost, where I were lost indeed!