For hopeless, sweet eternity? What God unhonour'd hitherto in songs, Or which, that now Forgettest the disguise 50 That Gods must wear who visit human eyes, Art Thou? Thou art not Amor; or, if so, yon pyre, That waits the willing victim, flames with vestal fire; Nor mooned Queen of maids; or, if thou 're she, Ah, then, from Thee Let Bride and Bridegroom learn what kisses be! In what veil'd hymr Or mystic dance Would he that were thy Priest advance In that compulsive focus, Nought, In this a furnace like the sun; And might some note of thy renown And high behest Thus in enigma be expressed: "There lies the crown Which all thy longing cures. Refuse it, Mortal, that it may be yours! 60 70 It is a Spirit, though it seems red gold; And thou shalt feel the phantom in thy hair." 1877. I "NUNS FRET NOT AT THEIR CON VENT'S NARROW ROOM". 1 NUNS fret not at their convent's narrow room; Ourselves, no prison is: and hence for me, must be) Who have felt the weight of too much liberty, Should find brief solace there, as I have found. 1807. SCORN not the Sonnet; Critic, you have frown'd, Mindless of its just honours; with this key Shakespeare unlock'd his heart; the melody |