THE FOURTH DAY 
 
“ Amen, if you love her ; for the lady is very well worthy.” 
Much Ado about Nothing. 
 
I took another way to shield my love. 
I turned my thoughts to the abyss of sky, 
Pierced the frail veil, and sought Eternity ; 
Where the Gods reign most passionless above 
All foolish loves of men, and weary of 
The slow procession of Earth’s mystery ; 
Where worlds, not men, are born and live and die, 
And aeons flit unnoticed as a dove. 
 
Thither I fled, busied myself with these ; 
When—lo !  I saw her shadow following ! 
In every cosmic season-tide of spring 
She rose, being the spring :  in utter peace 
She was with me and in me :  thus I saw 
Ours was not love, but destiny, and law. 
 
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