POETICS

"So say the foolish!" Say the foolish so, Love?

"Flower she is, my rose"—or else, "My very swan is she"—

Or perhaps, "Yon maid-moon, blessing earth below, Love,

That art thou!"—to them, belike: no such vain words from me.

"Hush, rose, blush! no balm like breath," I chide it:

"Bend thy neck its best, swan,—hers the whiter curve!"

Be the moon the moon: my Love I place beside it:

What is she? Her human self,—no lower word will serve.