XXIV
I shall be ever maiden,
If thou be not my lover,
And no man shall possess me
Henceforth and forever.
But thou alone shalt gather 5
This fragile flower of beauty,—
To crush and keep the fragrance
Like a holy incense.
Thou only shalt remember
This love of mine, or hallow 10
The coming years with gladness,
Calm and pride and passion.