Classic Poem

Passing her in the day he had but dared
To meet her eyes and in the moment's touch
Seemed to his flinching brain to dare too much
So proud she was and single and unshared.
She was another flesh than his he thought,
Another element, less earth than flame,
A different life, unnamed but for the name
Her eyes should teach him if he could be taught.

But now at midnight the remembering dark
Imaged her body naked by his side,
Her head half turned and on her mouth the mark
Of lust fed full and still unsatisfied,
And her clear eyes that had compelled his mind
Were humble now and hideously kind.