Page:Myrtle and Myrrh.djvu/35

 

How I did hold in deep contempt The slaves and queens of love! How I disguised my feelings when I met a deer or a dove! How I did smile and sniff and rail At lovers young and old; How I denied, in days gone by, O love, thy charms untold! But now, alas! I find myself In chains at Beauty's shrine: The chains whose power I have denied Are sapping, sapping mine.

Grieve not, for I am near thee; Sigh not, for I can hear thee; Wash from thy heart all memory of past wrong; Doubt not that doubts besmear thee; Speak not, for I do fear thee; Let thine eyes whisper love's conciling song.