Sonnet: Theseus And Ariadne Poem by Lloyd Mifflin

Thes. Nay, I have loved thee!
Ari. Thou hast loved, didst say?
Thes. I loved thee well at Crete.
Ari. Lov’st me no more?
Thes. Ah! who can hold the wave upon the shore?
Ari. Thou, if thou wouldst; and, oh! is that the way
Thou speak’st to me, who gave thee, on that day,
My flower of life?
Thes. My ship is ready—sail and oar!…
Ari. Did I not save thee from the Minotaur,—
And wilt thou leave me?
Thes. Who can make love stay? …
Wax is my heart and takes full easily
The last print on ’t. Past love is past recall.
Adieu!… Love has the helm—he guides, not we …
Ari. Beloved Traitor! May thy black sail pall
Deep in the brine, thee, and thy maidens all!…
Ye gods! he leaves me and my babe to be!