Said Jove within himself one day,
‘I'll make me a mistress out of clay!
These ninefold spheres of chiming quires,
...
Preludes.
I The Wife's Tragedy
Man must be pleased; but him to please
...
No praise to me!
My joy 'twas to be nothing but the glass
Thro' which the general boon of Heaven should pass,
To focus upon thee.
...
Bright thro' the valley gallops the brooklet;
Over the welkin travels the cloud;
Touch'd by the zephyr, dances the harebell;
...
Through female subtlety intense,
Or the good luck of innocence,
Or both, my Wife, with whom I plan
To pass calm evenings when I can,
...
Whate'er thou dost thou'rt dear.
Uncertain troubles sanctify
That magic well-spring of the willing tear,
...
How strange at night to wake
And watch, while others sleep,
Till sight and hearing ache
For objects that may keep
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Preludes
I The Married Lover
Why, having won her, do I woo?
...
I
I call this idle history the ‘Berry of the Yew;
Because there's nothing sweeter than its husk of scarlet glue,
...
I
From Frederick Graham
Mother, I smile at your alarms!
...