Metamorphosis

Before Love’s lofty goddess--Life hath toiled
To mold from burning dew and dewy fire--
Who kneel and worship with a heart sin-soiled,
Within the secret Temple of Desire;

Their curse is such: that, even while they pray,--
They shall not see, nor shall they know thereof!--
Their Deity is changed from fire to clay--
Lust! fashioned in the very form of Love.