Opportunity

" But who art thou, with curious beauty graced,
O woman, stamped with some bright heavenly seal ?
Why go thy feet on wings, and in such haste ? "

" I am that maid whose secret few may steal,
Called Opportunity. I hasten by
Because my feet are treading on a wheel,

" Being more swift to run than birds to fly.
And rightly on my feet my wings I wear,
To blind the sight of those who track and spy ;

" Rightly in front I hold my scattered hair
To veil my face, and down my breast to fall,
Lest men should know my name when I am there ;

" And leave behind my back no wisp at all
For eager folk to clutch, what time I glide
So near, and turn, and pass beyond recall."

" Tell me ; who is that Figure at thy side ?
" Penitence. Mark this well that by degree
Who lets me go must keep her for his bride.

" And thou hast spent much time in talk with me
Busied with thoughts and fancies vainly grand,
Nor hast remarked, O fool, neither dost see
How lightly I have fled beneath thy hand."