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When I had reached majority and sown

The oaten crop that's reaped with scythe of tears, I cried to Heaven man had never known

Such pain and bitterness in all the years Since love had been invented; that I craved Nothing but death and could not wait to die. I wept in bleak despair, and frantic, waved The flag of my defeat against the sky.

How great in wisdom I have grown since then! You will observe how quietly I take

Heartbreak for granted, and like other men Pursue the pleasure and ignore the ache Of all the pristine passions of the past. At least as long as this new love shall last.

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This urgent love, this treasure that I hoard, Locked, barricaded, barred against the world, I keep in trust for you, my only Lord,

And who comes pilfering is backward hurled.

I do not wish to seem importunateSince I am self-appointed to the taskYet you should feel yourself most fortunate To yield to me the little that I ask.

I had not thought to lengthen out the day With protestations and with sorry pleas. Since this be so then give me leave to say I am not one to covet what he sees:

His neighbor's servant nor his ass-But You! You I have coveted since first I knew.

IV

This privilege of loving and the care Of being casual in a curious crowd Confront me daily, and I am aware Of all the things I may not say aloud. These prim and proper people must not know That passion very often almost slips My mask of pale propriety, and so Reveal the stolen jam upon my lips.

Come lie with me and let my hands explore The length of you and all the secret places;

The warm geography of lovers' lore, The myriad facets and the many faces

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