It sweetens, softens! Would you pass that goal,

Gain love's birth at the limit's happier verge,

And, where an iridescence lurks, but urge

The hesitating pallor on to prime

Of dawn!—true blood-streaked, sun-warmth, action-time,

By heart-pulse ripened to a ruddy glow

Of gold above my clay—I scarce should know

From gold's self, thus suffused! For gold means love.

What means the sad slow silver smile above

My clay but pity, pardon?—at the best,