Collected Works (Vol. II)

70 ALICE: AN ADULTERY Of early even: then the tender bloom Shone on her cheek and deepened as the strong Arms gathered round her, more than shame or wrong, And the soft question murmured ‘‘ Love you—whom ?” The deepening rose; the heart’s quickening ; The fear ; the increasing ecstasy of this— A little cloud lifted a sombre wing Shadowing our secret breath from Artemis— Breasts met and arms enclosed, and all the spring Grew into summer with the first long kiss. pulse THE FOURTEENTH DAY. ‘* Some there be that shadows kiss; Such have but a shadow’s bliss; There be fools alive, I wis.” Merchant of Venice. ALL day we chose each moment possible When to the other’s face each face might cling, Each kiss burn forth, a double fiery sting -Exalting us in joy foreseen to swell A mighty exultation ; it befell, However, that I saw the shadowy thing Lurk behind love, and flap a scornful wing, Seeing our honour stood a citadel. I saw the foolishness of love that saith: ‘“*T am exalted over shame and death, But will not take my fill of death and shame.”’ For each kiss leaps, a more insistent breath, And adds fresh fuel to the amorous flame, Not quells it—Is not honour but a name? THE FIFTEENTH DAY. ‘* Were kisses all the joys in bed, One woman would another wed.” Sonnets to Sundry Notes of ALuste. ANOTHER day rose of unceasing fire: Kisses made monstrous for their sterile storm Maddening with sea-sounds, as of lute or shawm Fluting and clashing in extreme desire ; The silly ‘* Thus far and no farther,” nigher Each hour to break (poor arbitrary form !) As each kiss bade our bodies wed and warm Give love one chance before its wave retire. Not so: this trial was the tiniest Man ever knew, confronted afterward With giant fears and passions ;—long to fight And last to yield a Maenad-swelling breast Unto a furious Dionysian horde Drunk not with wine, but with aveng- ing night. THE SIXTEENTH DAY. ‘« My chastity’s the jewel of our house Bequeathed down from many ancestors, Which were the greatest obloquy i’ th’ world For me to lose.”’ All's Well. THERE was no secret cave of the wood’s womb Where we might kiss all day without a start Of fear that meant to stay and must depart, Nor any corner where the sea’s perfume