Sonnet 4 (Sonnets, 1833)

The Man, whose lady-love is virgin Truth,
Must woo a lady that is hard to win :
She smiles not on the wild and wordy din
Of all-confiding, all-protesting Youth ;
The Sceptic's apathy, the garb uncouth,
And Cynic sneer of o'er-experienced Sin,
The Serpent, writhing in its worn-out skin,
Craving again to flesh its sated tooth,
She quite abhors. She is not fond, nor coy —
Self-seeking love, and self-appraising scorn,
She knows not. She hath utterly forsworn
Her worldly dower of wealth, and pride, and joy —
Her very beauty none but they discover,
Who for herself, not for her beauty, love her.