As soon as she had opened eyes on him, She closed those eyes to all the world beside, And her soul crazed, a-doting on her jewel,-- Her jewel in a golden cradle set; Opening and shutting which her day's delight, To gaze upon his heart-inflaming cheek-- Upon the darling whom, could she, she would Have cradled as the baby of her eye. In rose and musk she wash'd him--to his lips Press'd the pure sugar from the honeycomb; And when, day over, she withdrew her milk, She made, and having laid him in, his bed, Burn'd all night like a taper o'er his head. Then still as morning came, and as he grew, She dressed him like a little idol up; On with his robe--with fresh collyrium dew Touch'd his narcissus eyes--the musky locks Divided from his forehead--and embraced With gold and ruby girdle his fine waist. "THE MOON AND ROSES" Sat a lover solitary Self-discoursing in a corner, Passionate and ever-changing Invocation pouring out: Sometimes sun and moon; and sometimes Under hyacinth half-hidden Roses; or the lofty cypress, And the little weed below. Nightingaling thus a noodle Heard him, and, completely puzzled,-- "What!" quoth he, "and you, a lover, Raving not about your mistress, But about the moon and roses!" Answer'd he: "O thou that aimest Wide of love, and lover's language Wholly misinterpreting; Sun and moon are but my lady's Self, as any lover knows; Hyacinth I said, and meant her Hair--her cheek was in the rose-- And I myself the wretched weed That in her cypress shadow grows." THE WILES OF ABSÁL Now from her hair would twine a musky chain, To bind his heart--now twist it into curls Nestling innumerable temptations; Doubled the darkness of her eyes with surma To make him lose his way, and over them Adorn'd the bows that were to shoot him then; Fresh rose, and then a grain of musk lay there, The bird of the beloved heart to snare. Now to the rose-leaf of her cheek would add, Now with a laugh would break the ruby seal That, lockt up pearl; or busied in the room Would smite her hand, perhaps--on that pretence To lift and show the silver in her sleeve; Or hastily rising, dash her golden anklets To draw the crowned head under her feet. Thus by innumerable bridal wiles She went about soliciting his eyes, Which she would scarce let lose her for a moment; For well she knew that mainly by the eye Love makes his sign, and by no other road Enters and takes possession of the heart. LOVE'S EARTHLY WAY