Not theirs, but ours, to follow Love apart,
Where first the bridegroom held his bride to heart,
And saw her purity and regnant worth
Thus kept for him and yielded to his care.
What marvel that of all who dwelt on earth
He seemed most fortunate and she most fair
That self-same hour? And “By God’s grace,” he thought,
“May I to some ignoble end be brought,
“Unless I so reward her for her choice,
And shape my future conduct in this land