Wilhelmein by Clifford Lanier

Wilhelmein

The poet raptured, gazing wifeward, said:
" Thou art the self of beauty to my sight
From dainty feet to glory-crowned head,
Thy figure shapen is in lines of light;
With perfect rhyme those lithe arms upward
spread
A pulsing couplet form in rhythm night;
And o'er thy bosom drape the vestments white,
Tenderly, as words by music vestured.
If verse now had the graphic warmth of sun,
If Love would body what his heart would hide,
If thou wert less than very vestal'd nun,
Dear love, of thee might yield to Art's fond
pride,
And, dressed in poet's breath these veils
aside
Thou shouldst be wife and poem merged in
one."