Classic Poem

WHEREIN NATURE, HAVING ENDOWED HER BEYOND MORTAL WOMEN, SNATCHED HER AWAY FROM MORTAL EYES

This gift of loveliness which lures the world,
Called fragile, transient, false, a wind, a shade,
Never its spells so perilously displayed
Until this Lady came and I was hurled
Headlong: Nature never her flag unfurled
To honour one in beauty's bright parade —
Now one with all of Nature stands arrayed
Like Venus when the sea-foam sang and swirled.
Forgive me, ladies, yet I do declare it,
Her equal never lived nor ever shall
But always like some lovely secret bud
Shunned the sick world and fled: so must my spirit
Barter the light from heaven that may befall
To feel her holy eyes burn in my blood!