The chains about her neck are many-pearled,
Rare gems are those round which her hair is curled;
She hath all flesh for captive, and for spoil,
The fruit of all the labour of the world.
She getteth up and maketh herself bare,
And letteth down the wonder of her hair
Before the sun; the heavy golden locks
Fall in the hollow of her shoulders fair.
She taketh from the lands, as she may please,
All jewels, and all corals from the seas;
She layeth them in rows upon the rocks;
Laugheth, and bringeth fairer ones than these.
Five are the goodly necklaces that deck
The place between her bosom and her neck;
She passeth many a bracelet o'er her hands;
And, seeing she is white without a fleck,
And, seeing she is fairer than the tide,
And of a beauty no man can abide—
Proudly she standeth as a goddess stands,
And mocketh at the sun and sea for pride:
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