Far dearer thou, my gentle one, to me,

And happy I—distracted more by thee—

When yielding to long prayers with gentle grace,

You press me softly in your meek embrace;

Modestly cold, to love with passion fraught

You scarce respond; you conscience seem of naught;

Yet warm and warmer glowing, till at last,

As ’twere against your will, you share my blast.

Let me not lose my senses, God;