Love ere he bleeds, an eagle in high skies, <br />Has earth beneath his wings: from reddened eve <br />He views the rosy dawn. In vain they weave <br />The fatal web below while far he flies. <br />But when the arrow strikes him, there's a change. <br />He moves but in the track of his spent pain, <br />Whose red drops are the links of a harsh chain, <br />Binding him to the ground, with narrow range. <br />A subtle serpent then has Love become. <br />I had the eagle in my bosom erst: <br />Henceforward with the serpent I am cursed. <br />I can interpret where the mouth is dumb. <br />Speak, and I see the side-lie of a truth. <br />Perchance my heart may pardon you this deed: <br />But be no coward:--you that made Love bleed, <br />You must bear all the venom of his tooth!<br /><br />George Meredith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/modern-love-xxvi-love-ere-he-bleeds/
