28 
AD LYDIAM, UT SECUM A MARITO FUGERET 
 
 
 
AD LYDIAM, UT SECUM A MARITO FUGERET 
 
I 
 
The bird has chosen, and the world of spring 
Under Love’s banner is enrolled, but thou, 
Chained to the iron couch of wedlock fast, 
Art mourning while all nature else doth sing 
The deep delights of Love.  Still on thy brow 
Lurks the dark shade, thy smile is overcast 
With fear of the world’s thought, and lips of love 
Pale at that spectre, imminent, immense, 
Cold Chastity, the child of Impotence, 
And eyes grow dim with grey distrust thereof. 
Forget, dear heart, forget ;  life’s glow is sweet : 
Come to a lover’s arms that grow divine 
At the first eloquent embrace of thine, 
While pulses in wild unison warmly beat. 
 
2 
 
I know a valley walled with glistening steep 
Of fire-hewn rock, and stately cliff of ice,