Page:An epic of women and other poems (IA epicofwomenother00osha).pdf/129

 "Against their loud revilings I will try The long low-speaking pleadings of my sigh, All my heart's tender way; Against their deserts—here, before thine eyes My love shall open thee a paradise, Where, if thou comest, thou shalt surely stay  And seek no better way:

"And rather than these haters of thy joy Should anyhow allure thee to destroy Thy heart's prosperity,— O, I will throw my woman's arms entwined About thy body; ere thy lips can find One word of yielding, I will kiss them dry:  —And failing, let me die!

"But look on me, for it is in my soul To make the measure of thy glory whole— With many goodly things To crown thee, yea, with pleasure and with love, Till there shall scarcely be a name above King Herod's, in the mouth of one who sings  The fame of mighty kings: