Alice: An Adultery

THE SIXTEENTH DAY “ My chastity’s the jewel of our house Bequeathed down from many ancestors, Which were the greatest obloquy i’ th’ world For me to lose.” All’s Well. There was no secret cave of the wood’s womb Where we might kiss all day without a start Of fear that meant to stay and must depart, Nor any corner where the sea’s perfume Might shelter love in some wave-carven tomb. But Maytime shone in us ; with words of art I drew her down reluctant to my heart, When night was silence and my bed the gloom. So without sin we took strange sacrament, Whose wine was kisses, and whose bread the flower Of fast and fervent cleaving breast to breast. As lily bends to lily we were bent, Not as mere man to woman : all the dower Of martyred Virgins crowned our dangerous quest. 44