Emblems Of Love by Lascelles Abercrombie
page 50 of 217 (23%)
page 50 of 217 (23%)
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By the desire of spirit, trained to serve
Spirit with lust, spirit with woman enjoy'd. _2nd Woman_. Queen, I am beautiful, and cannot boast Thy subtle thinking; and to one like me, What matters whence come beauty, so I have it? Let it be but the witless mating of beasts, Tamed and curiously knowing itself And cunning in its own delight: What then? The nightingale desires his little lass, And that brings out of his heart a radiant song; A man desires a woman, and for song Out of his heart comes beauty, that like flame Reaches towards her, and covers her limbs with light. If it so please thee, say that neither loves Aught but his life's desire, fashioning it Adorably to marvellous song and beauty. What then? Enough that the wonder lights on me, To me is paid the worship of the wonder. _Vashti_. O well I know how strong we are in man; His senses have our beauty for their god, And his delight is built about us like Towering adoration, housing worship.-- The spirit of man may dwell in God: the world, From the soft delicate floor of grass to those Rafters of light and hanging cloths of stars, Is but the honour in God's mind for man, |
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