Alice: An Adultery

Yet the twin faces, like Madonnas, meeting, Fear and draw back and gaze a little space ; Fear, lest they lose the moonlight frail and fleeting, Lose their own beauty in their own embrace, But feel how gladdening hearts and bosoms beating Kindle the face . . . . . . . . But not for long shall lilies strive with roses, Nor fear be fearful, nor delight repose, Nor love retire ; the woodland cleaves and closes Round heads an aureole hides, a rainbow shows. A swifter shape of fire cleaves us, encloses Rosebud and rose. . . . . . . . Mouth unto mouth ! O fairest ! Mutely lying, Fire lambent laid on water,—O ! the pain ! Kiss me, O heart, as if we both were dying ! Kiss, as we could not ever kiss again ! Kiss me, between the music of our sighing, Lightning and rain ! 64