Page:Twilight Hours (1868).djvu/222

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178
SOSPIRI VOLATE.


Think you, dear, that I go laughing
All the busy day along,
Gaily wine of pleasure quaffing,
Deep in picture or in song ?
Know you not there is no pleasure
But is holy on one side ?
That I keep for you, my treasure,
Share with you at eventide.
Know you not the garish real
Never yet a maid enticed ?
That a woman's one ideal
Must be something like the Christ ;
With the God-like, through the human,
Shining crystalline and clear ?
Would you really win a woman ?
Be her sanctuary, dear.