Page:An epic of women and other poems (IA epicofwomenother00osha).pdf/181

Then, howsoe'er thou dost behold that wonder,
  The rare imperial foot of Her my queen;
—Yea, if thou may'st but glimpse it nestled under
  The broidered border of her robe, or e'en
If haply, some unguarded hour of rest,
Thou hast such bliss as I have never possest,
  To see that spotless Lady all reclined
  And through dim tumbled veils with thine eye find
Her spirit-slender foot,—then do thy best,
  And be thou neither faint of heart nor blind!

But so with every spell of piteous pleading,
  And the full magic that was wont of old
To fill my verse and charm all men to heeding,
  Frame thou thy praise of that thou dost behold—
That her most matchless foot shall even start
Out of its languishment and take my part,
  To bring my Love not otherwhere than here,
  To me, and to the place where she is dear:
Go now and do this, if thou still hast art;
  And I shall wait the while in love and fear.