Page:The New Life (Rossetti 1899) Siddal ed.djvu/81

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Saying: Let any maid that would be well

Esteemed keep with her: for as she goes by,

Into foul hearts a deathly chill is driven

By Love, that makes ill thought to perish there:

While any who endures to gaze on her

Must either be ennobled, or else die.

When one deserving to be raised so high

Is found, 'tis then her power attains its proof,

Making his heart strong for his soul's behoof

With the full strength of meek humility.

Also this virtue owns she, by God's will:

Who speaks with her can never come to ill.

Love saith concerning her: "How chanceth it

That flesh, which is of dust, should be thus pure?"

Then, gazing always, he makes oath: "Forsure,

This is a creature of God till now unknown."

She hath that paleness of the pearl that's fit

In a fair woman, so much and not more;