Loveme？shehisvowsrepeated：
　　Fieryvowsoftsungandthrummed：
　　Wondered，asonearthastranger；
　　Thirsted，trusted，andsuccumbed。
　　Obelovedyouth!mylover!
　　Mine!mylover!takemylifeWholly：thineinsoulandbody，Bythisoathofmorethanwife!
　　Knowmefornohelplesswoman；
　　Nay，norcoward，thoughIsinkAwedbesidethee，likeaninfantLearningshameereitcanthink。
　　Swingmehencetodotheeserce，Bethysuccour，provethyshield；
　　Heavenwillhear!——inhousethyhandmaid，Squireuponthebattlefield。
　　AtmybreastsIcoolthyfootsoles；
　　WineIpour，Idressthymeats；
　　Humbly，whenmylorditpleaseth，Liewithhimonperfumedsheets：
　　Prayforhim，myblood’sdearfountain，Whilehesleeps，andwatchhisyawnInthatwakeningbabelikemoment，Sweetertomythoughtthandawn!-
　　Thunderedthenherlordofthunders；
　　Burstthedoor，and，flashingsword，Louddisgorgedthewoman’stitle：
　　Condemnationinoneword。
　　Grandbyrighteouswrathtransfigured，TowersthehusbandwhoprodesInhispersonjudgeandwitness，Death’sblackdoorkeeperbesides!
　　Roundhisheadtheancientterrors，Conjuredofthestronger’slaw，Circle，toabashthecreatureDaringtwistbeneathhispaw。
　　HowthoughhehathsquanderedHonourHighofHonourlethimscold：
　　Gildingoftheman’spossession，’Tisthewoman’scoinofgold。
　　SheinheritingfrommanyBleedingmothersbleedingsenseFeels’twtherandsharp-fangednatureHonourfirstdidplantthefence。
　　Nature，thatsoshrieksforjustice；
　　Honour’sthirst，thatbloodwillslake；
　　Thesearewomen’sriddles，roughlyMedtowritethemsaintorsnake。
　　Nevernaturecherishedwoman：
　　Shethroughoutthesexes’warServesastemptressandbetrayer，Favouringman，themuscular。
　　Lurefulisshe，bentforfolly；
　　Doatingonthechildwhichcrows：
　　Yourstoteachhimgraceinfealty，Whatthebloomis，whattherose。
　　Hardthetask：yourprison-chamberWidensnotforliftedlatchTillthegiantthewsandsinewsMeettheirGodlikeovermatch。
　　Readthatriddle，scorningpity’sTears，ofcockatricesshed：
　　Whentheheartisvowedforfreedom，Captaincyityieldstohead。
　　Meanwhileyou，freakednature’smartyrs，Honour’sarmy，flowerandweed，Gentleladies，weddedladies，Seeforyouthisfaironebleed。
　　Solestoodheroffence，shefaltered；
　　Prayedherlordtheyouthtospare；
　　PrayedthatintheorangegardenShemightlie，andceasedherprayer。
　　ThencommandingtoallwomenChastity，herbreastsshelaidBareuntotheself-avenger。
　　Maninmetalwastheblade。
　　WhentheSouthsanglikeanightingaleAboveabowerinMay，ThetrainingofLove’sneofflameWaswritinlaws，forlordanddameTosaytheiryeaandnay。
　　WhentheSouthsanglikeanightingaleAcrossthefloweringnight，Andlordanddameheldgentlesport，TherecameayoungprincesstoCourt，Afrostofbeautywhite。
　　TheSouthsanglikeanightingaleTothawherglitteringdream：
　　NoneofLoveherbosomgave，ShedranknowineofLove，butgraveSheheldthemtoLove’stheme。
　　TheSouthgrewallanightingaleBeneathamoonunmoved：
　　Likethebannerofwarsheledthemon；
　　Sheleftthemtolie，likethelightthathasgoneFromwine-cupsoverproved。
　　WhentheSouthwasaferdnightingale，Andsheachillingmoon，’Twaspitytoseeonthegardenswards，AgainstLove’slaws，thoserallordsAswillow-wandsliestrewn。
　　TheSouthhadthroatofanightingaleForher，theyoungprincess：
　　ShegavenoneofLovetorear，Love’swinedranknot，yetbentherearTothemesofLovenoless。
　　ThelordsoftheCourttheysighedheart-sick，Heart-freeLordDusiotelaughed：
　　Iprizehernomorethanaflingo’thedice，But，orshametomymanhood，aladyofice，Wemasterherbycraft!
　　Heart-sickthelordsofjoyanceyawned，LordDusiotelaughedheart-free：
　　Icountherasmuchasacracko’mythumb，But，orshameofmymanhood，tomesheshallcomeLikethebirdtoroostinthetree!
　　Atdeadofnightwhenthepalace-guardHadpassedthemeasuredrounds，TheyoungprincessawoketofeelAshudderofbloodatthecrackleofsteelWithinthegarden-bounds。
　　Itceased，andshethoughtofwhomwasneed，Thefriarortheleech；
　　Whenlo，stoodhertirewomanbreathlessby：
　　LordDusiote，madam，todeathisnigh，Ofyouhewouldhavespeech。
　　Hepraysyouofyourgentleness，Tolighthimtohisdarkend。
　　Theprincessrose，andforthshewent，Forcharitywasherintent，Devoutlytobefriend。
　　LordDusiotehungonhisgoodsquire’sarm，Thepriestbesidehimknelt：
　　AweepinghandkerchiefwaspressedTostaytheredfloodathisbreast，Andbidcoldladiesmelt。
　　Olady，thoughyouareicetomen，AllpuretoheavenaslightWithinthedewwithintheflower，Ofyou’tiswhisperedthatlovehaspowerWhensecretisthenight。
　　Ihavesilencedtheslanderers，peacetotheirsouls!
　　Saveonewastoocunningforme。
　　Idie，whoseloveislateavowed，Heles，whoboaststhelilyhasbowedTotheoathofabendedknee。
　　LordDusiotedrewbreathwithpain，Andshewithpaindrewbreath：
　　Onhimshelooked，onhislikeabove；
　　SheflewinthefoldsofamarvelofloveRevealedtopasstodeath。
　　Youaredying，Ogreat-heartedlord，Youaredyingforme，shecried；
　　Otakemyhand，Otakemykiss，Andtakeofyourrightforlovelikethis，Thevowthatplightsmebride。
　　ShebadethepriestrecitehiswordsWhilehandinhandwerethey，LordDusiote’ssoultowafttobliss；
　　Hehadherhand，hervow，herkiss，Andhisbodywasborneaway。
　　LordDusiotesprangfrompriestandsquire；
　　Hegazedatherlightedroom：
　　Thelaughterinhisheartgrewslack；
　　HeknewnottheforcethatpushedhimbackFromherandthemorninbloom。
　　Likeadrownedman’slengthonthestrongflood-tide，Liketheshadeofabirdinthesun，HefledfromhisladywhomhemightclaimAsghost，andwhomadethedaybeamsflameToscarewhathehaddone。
　　TherewasgriefatCourtforonesogay，ThoughhewasalordlesskeenFortrainingthenethanatntage-press；
　　ButinhersoultheyoungprincessBelievedthatlovehadbeen。
　　LordDusiotefledtheCourtandland，Hecrossedthewoefulseas，Tillhistraitorousdoingseemedclearertoburn，Andtheladybeloveddrewhisheartforreturn，Likethebannerofwarinthebreeze。
　　Henearedthepalace，hespiedtheCourt，Andmusicheheard，andtheytoldOfforeignlordsarredtobringThenuptialgiftsofabridegroomkingTotheprincessgraveandcold。
　　Themasqueandthedancewerecloudonwave，AnddownthemasqueandthedanceLordDusiotesteppedfromdametodame，Andtotheyoungprincesshecame，Withabowandaburningglance。
　　Doyoutakeanewhusbandto-morrow，lady？
　　Sheshrankasatprickofsteel。
　　Mustthefirstyieldplacetothesecond，hesighed。
　　HereyeswerelikethegravethatiswideForthecorpsefromheadtoheel。
　　Mylady，mylove，thatlittlehandHasmineringedfastinplight：
　　Ibearforyourlipsalawfulthirst，Andasjustlythesecondshouldfollowthefirst，Icometoyourdoorthisnight。
　　Ifaghostshouldcomeaghostwillgo：
　　Nomoretheladysaid，SavethateverwhenheinwrathbeganToswearbythefaithofalingman，Sheansweredhim，Youaredead。
　　Thesoftnight-windwentladentodeathWithsmelloftheorangeinflower；
　　Thelightleavesprattledtoneighbourears；
　　Thebirdofthepassionsangoverhistears；
　　Thenightnamedhourbyhour。
　　Sangloud，sanglowtherapturousbirdTilltheyellowhourwasnigh，Behindthefoldsofadarkercloud：
　　Hechuckled，hesobbed，alow，aloud；
　　Thevoicebetweenearthandsky。I
　　Owillyou，willyou，womenareweak；
　　TheproudestareyieldingmatesForaforwardfootandatongueoffire：
　　SothoughtLordDusiote’strustysquire，Atwatchbythepalace-gates。
　　Thesongofthebirdwaswineinhisblood，Andwomantheodorousbloom：
　　Hismaster’sgreatadventurestirredWithinhimtominglethebloomandbird，Andmornereitscomingillume。
　　BesidehimstrangelyapieceofthedarkHadmoved，andtheundertonesOfapriestinprayer，likeacavernouswave，Heheard，aswerethereasoultosaveForurgencynowinthegroans。
　　Nopriestwashiredfortheplaythisnight：
　　AndthesquiretossedheadlikeadeerAtsniffofthetaintedwind；hegazedWherecresset-lampsinadoorwereraised，Belikeonapassingbier。
　　Allcloakedandmasked，withnakedblades，Thatflashedofajudgementdone，ThelordsoftheCourt，fromthepalace-door，Cameissuingsilently，bearersfour，Andflatontheirshouldersone。
　　Theymarchedthebodytosquireandpriest，Theylowereditsadtoearth：
　　Thepriesttheygavetheburialdole，Badewrestlehourlyforhissoul，Whowasalordofworth。
　　Onesaid，farewelltoagallantknight!
　　Andone，butarestlessghost!
　　’TisayearandadaysinceinthisplaceHedied，spedhighbyaladyofgraceTojointheblissfulhost。
　　Notvainlyonusshechargedhercause，TheladywhomwerevereForfaithinthemaskofaloveuntrueTotheLovewehonour，theLoveherdue，TheLovewehavevowedtorear。
　　Atrapforthesweettooth，luresforthelight，Forthefortressdefiantamine：
　　Rightwell!ButnotintheSouth，princess，ShalltheladysnaredofhernoblenessEvershamedoracaptepine。
　　WhentheSouthhadvoiceofanightingaleAboveaMayingbower，OntheheightsofLovewalkedradiantpeers；
　　ThebirdofthepassionsangoverhistearsTothebreezeandtheorange-flower。
　　Swordinlengthareaping-hookamainHaraldshearedhisfield，blooduptoshank：
　　’Midtheswathesofslain，Firstatmoonrisedrank。
　　Thereofhunger，asformeatstheknife，Prickedhisribs，inonesharpspurtoreachHomeandhisyoungwife，Nighthesea-fordbeach。
　　I
　　Afterbattlekeentofeedwashe：
　　Smokingfleshthethresherwasheddownfast，LikeanangryseaShipsfromkeeltomast。
　　Nameusglory，singer，nameusprideMatchingHarald’sinhisdeedsofstrength；
　　Chiefs，wife，swordbyside，Foemenstretchedtheirlength!
　　Halfawinternightthetoastshurrahed，Crownedhim，clothedhim，trumpetedhimhigh，TillawinkhebadeWifetochamberfly。
　　Twicethesunhadmounted，twicehadsunk，Erehisearstooksound；helayfordead；
　　Mountainonhistrunk，Oceanonhishead。
　　Clampedtocouch，hisfieryhearingsuckedWhispersthatatheartmadeiron-clang：
　　Herefool-womenclucked，Theremenheldharangue。
　　BurialtofittheirlordofwarTheydecreedhim：hailedthekingling：ha!
　　Hateful!butthisThorFailedaweaklamb’sbaa。
　　Kingtheyhailedabranchlet，shapedtofare，Weightedso，likequakingshinglespume，Whenhisblood’sownheirRipenedinthewomb!