With atmosphere of filters and stone stairs,

Distemper, crucifixes and red drugget,

Dusty hot-water pipes, a legacy-library....

Sleep never comes to me so tired as now

Leg-chafed and footsore with my mind in a blaze

Troubling this problem over, vexing whether

To beat Love down with ridicule or instead

To disregard new soundings and still keep

The old course by the uncorrected chart,

(The faithful lover, his unchanging heart)