Page:Poems and ballads (IA poemsballads00swinrich).pdf/297

 So thou wilt be my lady without sin. Goddess that art all gold outside and in, Help me to serve thee in thy holy way. Thou knowest, Love, that in my bearing day There shone a laughter in the singing stars Round the gold-ceilèd bride-bed wherein Mars Touched thee and had thee in your kissing wise. Now therefore, sweet, kiss thou my maiden's eyes That they may open graciously towards me; And this new fashion of thy shrine shall be As soft with gold as thine own happy head. The goddess, that was painted with face red Between two long green tumbled sides of sea, Stooped her neck sideways, and spake pleasantly: Thou shalt have grace as thou art thrall of mine. And with this came a savour of shed wine And plucked-out petals from a rose's head: And softly with slow laughs of lip she said, Thou shalt have favour all thy days of me. Then came Theophilus to Dorothy, Saying: O sweet, if one should strive or speak Against God's ways, he gets a beaten cheek For all his wage and shame above all men. Therefore I have no will to turn again When God saith "go," lest a worse thing fall out. Then she, misdoubting lest he went about To catch her wits, made answer somewhat thus: I have no will, my lord Theophilus,