15.07.2007, 13:41
The Man, whose lady-love is virgin Truth
Must woo a lady that is hard to win:
She smiles not on the wild and wordy din
Of all-confiding, all-rotesting Youth;
The Sceptic’s apathy, the garb uncouth,
And Cynic sneer of o’er-experienced Sin,
The Serpent, writhing in its worn-out skin,
Craving again to flesh its sated tooth,
She quite abhors. She is not fond, nor coy –
Self-seeking love, and self-appraising scorn,
She knows not. She hath utterly forsworn
Her worldly dower of wealth, and pride, and joy –
Her very beauty none but they discover,
Who for herself, not for her beauty, love her.
Must woo a lady that is hard to win:
She smiles not on the wild and wordy din
Of all-confiding, all-rotesting Youth;
The Sceptic’s apathy, the garb uncouth,
And Cynic sneer of o’er-experienced Sin,
The Serpent, writhing in its worn-out skin,
Craving again to flesh its sated tooth,
She quite abhors. She is not fond, nor coy –
Self-seeking love, and self-appraising scorn,
She knows not. She hath utterly forsworn
Her worldly dower of wealth, and pride, and joy –
Her very beauty none but they discover,
Who for herself, not for her beauty, love her.