Alice: An Adultery

THE EIGHTH DAY “ A certain aim he took At a fair Vestal throned by the West.” Midsummer Night’s Dream. Here in the extreme west of all the earth This Vestal sate ; and I from Cupid’s bow Loosed a fair shaft of verses shapen so As to fling love through the chaste girdle’s girth, And show my love how meek was my love’s birth, How innocent its being : thus arow Stood the mild lines, immaculate, to show My harmless passion and her own great worth. She could not be offended : and moreover— When at the nightfall I sought Heaven’s light, All my work grew unspotted, done aright ! The high Gods came above my head to hover, Because I worked with a diviner might, The perfect sage being the perfect lover. 30