Miscellaneous Sonnets: Love-Tokens

I wear around my forehead evermore,
The circlet of your praise, pure gold; and how
I walk forth crown’d, the approving angels know,
And see how I am meeker than before
Being thus proud. For roses my full store,
Upon a cheek where flowers will scantly blow,
Is your lips’ one immortal touch, and lo!
All shame deserts my blood to the heart’s core.
Dare I display love’s choicest gift--this scar
Still sanguine-hued? Here ran your sudden brand
Sheer through the starting flesh, and let abroad
A traitor’s life; your wrathful eyes afar,
Had doom’d him first. Ah, gracious, valiant hand
Which drew me bleeding to the feet of God!