They recked not of the thorn, but seized the flower;
For all the sin, their joy was great that hour.
And since, for all the joy, theirs was a sin
That baned them with one bane; since many men
Had sought her love, but one alone could win
That largess, with his blameless life till then
Inviolate,—they bargained for love’s sake
No severance of their covert league to make.
Yet, since nobility compelled them still,
They pledged themselves for honor’s sake to hold