Why, having won her, do I woo? <br />Because her spirit's vestal grace <br />Provokes me always to pursue, <br />But, spirit-like, eludes embrace; <br />Because her womanhood is such <br />That, as on court-days subjects kiss <br />The Queen's hand, yet so near a touch <br />Affirms no mean familiarness; <br />Nay, rather marks more fair the height <br />Which can with safety so neglect <br />To dread, as lower ladies might, <br />That grace could meet with disrespect; <br />Thus she with happy favour feeds <br />Allegiance from a love so high <br />That thence no false conceit proceeds <br />Of difference bridged, or state put by; <br />Because although in act and word <br />As lowly as a wife can be, <br />Her manners, when they call me lord, <br />Remind me 'tis by courtesy; <br />Not with her least consent of will, <br />Which would my proud affection hurt, <br />But by the noble style that still <br />Imputes an unattain'd desert; <br />Because her gay and lofty brows, <br />When all is won which hope can ask, <br />Reflect a light of hopeless snows <br />That bright in virgin ether bask; <br />Because, though free of the outer court <br />I am, this Temple keeps its shrine <br />Sacred to Heaven; because, in short, <br />She 's not and never can be mine.<br /><br />Coventry Patmore<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-married-lover/
