You slacked your kiss upon the sodden youth 
In some excess of confidence, decay 
Of care to hold him—can I tell you which ? 
Down goes the moon—one sees the howling bitch ! 
The salmon you had hooked in fin and gill 
You reel unskilfully—he darts away. 
Alas !  you devil, but you hold me still ! 
 
III 
 
 
 FIRST and fairest of Earth’s darling daughters ! 
 How could I sing you ?—you have always seemed 
Unto the saucy driveller as he dreamed 
Like a rich sunset seen on tropic waters— 
(Your eyes effulgent from a thousand slaughters 
Looked tenderly upon me !) all the red 
Raving round you like a glory shed 
Upon the excellent wonder of your head ; 
The blue all massed within your marvellous eyes ; 
The gold a curtain of their harmonies 
As in a master canvas of de Ryn ; 
But ever central glowed the royal sun, 
A miracle cartouche upon the edge 
Of the opalescent waters slantwise seen. 
This oval sealed with grave magnificence 
Stamped you my queen.  Thus looked your lips to one  
Who stood a casual on life’s slippery ledge, 
A blind bat hanging from the tree of sense 
3 
O