Streetward, do service to no shrine inside,—

Mounts thither by the filthy flight of stairs,

Holding the cord by the wall, to the tip-top,

Gropes for the door i' the dark, ajar of course,

Raps, opens, enters in: up starts a thing

Naked as needs be—"What, you rogue, 't is you?

Back,—how can I have taken a farthing yet?

Mercy on me, poor sinner that I am!

Here 's ... why, I took you for Madonna's self

With all that sudden swirl of silk i' the place!