Burning Wheel

<SPAN name="FORMAL_VERSES"></SPAN>FORMAL VERSES.<br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> I.<br/> <br/> Mother of all my future memories,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mistress of my new life, which but to-day</span><br/> Began, when I beheld, deep in your eyes,<br/> My own love mirrored and the warm surprise<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of the first kiss swept both our souls away,</span><br/> <br/> Your love has freed me; for I was oppressed<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">By my own devil, whose unwholesome breath</span><br/> Tarnished my youth, leaving to me at best<br/> Age lacking comfort of a soul at rest<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">And weariness beyond the hope of death.</span><br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> II.<br/> <br/> Ah, those were days of silent happiness!<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">I never spoke, and had no need to speak,</span><br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">While on the windy down-land, cheek by cheek,</span><br/> The slow-driven sun beheld us. Each caress<br/> Had oratory for its own defence;<br/> And when I kissed or felt her fingers press,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 1em;">I envied not Demosthenes his Greek,</span><br/> Nor Tully for his Latin eloquence.<br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />