XLV.

While the harsh prude indemnifies her virtue

By railing at the unknown and envied passion,

Seeking far less to save you than to hurt you,

Or, what's still worse, to put you out of fashion,—

The kinder veteran with calm words will court you,

Entreating you to pause before you dash on;

Expounding and illustrating the riddle

Of epic Love's beginning—end—and middle.

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook