Before Severing

There, let me gaze upon you ere I go, —
The supple body and the perfect face,
Half known before we met, through old sweet lays;
Or wondered on, with ecstasy and woe.
In some great picture such as dead years show;
But now, found fairer, in all gracious ways,
Than those which lacked the special, unnamed grace,
That makes your face the fairest man may know.

Speak once again, that I may hear your voice,
And madden on the beauty of each tone.
O love! be sorry for these poor dead joys!
Be sorry, O my sweet, for fair dreams flown!
You had a little what in me was best,
Now let all vile things fatten on the rest.