WHY, having won her, do I woo? Because her spirit's vestal grace Provokes me always to pursue, But, spirit-like, eludes embrace; Because her womanhood is such That, as on court-days subjects kiss The Queen's hand, yet so near a touch Affirms no mean familiarness; Nay, rather marks more fair the height Which can with safety so neglect To dread, as lower ladies might, That grace could meet with. disrespect; Thus she with happy favour feeds Allegiance from a love so high That thence no false conceit proceeds Of difference bridged, or state put by; Because although in act and word As lowly as a wife can be, Her manners, when they call me lord, Remind me 'tis by courtesy; Not with her least consent of will, Which would my proud affection hurt, But by the noble style that still Imputes an unattain'd desert; Because her gay and lofty brows, When all is won which hope can ask, Reflect a light of hopeless snows That bright in virgin ether bask; Because, though free of the outer court I am, this Temple keeps its shrine Sacred to Heaven; because, in short, She's not and never can be mine. Feasts satiate; stars distress with height; Friendship means well, but misses reach, And wearies in its best delight Vexe'd with the vanities of speech; Too long regarded, roses even Afflict the mind with fond unrest; And to converse direct with Heaven Is oft a labor in the breast; Whate'er the up-looking soul admires, Whate'er the senses' banquet be, Fatigues at last with vain desires, Or sickesn by saiety; But truly my delight was more In her to whom I'm bound for aye Yesterday than the day before, And more to-day than yesterday. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GALAHAD IN THE CASTLE OF THE MAIDENS by SARA TEASDALE HE RULETH NOT THROUGH HE RAIGNE OVER REALMES by THOMAS WYATT A PRELUDE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH HITOPADESA: DEDICATION by EDWIN ARNOLD CARPE DIEM by JEAN ANTOINE DE BAIF AT THE GRAVE OF DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI by H. T. MACKENZIE BELL |