O woman, shapely as the swan, <br />On your account I shall not die: <br />The men you've slain -- a trivial clan -- <br />Were less than I. <br />I ask me shall I die for these -- <br />For blossom teeth and scarlet lips -- <br />And shall that delicate swan-shape <br />Bring me eclipse? <br />Well-shaped the breasts and smooth the skin, <br />The cheeks are fair, the tresses free -- <br />And yet I shall not suffer death, <br />God over me! <br />Those even brows, that hair like gold, <br />Those languorous tones, that virgin way, <br />The flowing limbs, the rounded heel <br />Slight men betray! <br />Thy spirit keen through radiant mien, <br />Thy shining throat and smiling eye, <br />Thy little palm, thy side like foam -- <br />I cannot die! <br />O woman, shapely as the swan, <br />In a cunning house hard-reared was I: <br />O bosom white, O well-shaped palm, <br />I shall not die!<br /><br />Padraic Colum<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-shall-not-die-for-thee/
