It ended, and the morrow brought the task. <br /> Her eyes were guilty gates, that let him in <br /> By shutting all too zealous for their sin: <br /> Each sucked a secret, and each wore a mask. <br /> But, oh, the bitter taste her beauty had! <br /> He sickened as at breath of poison-flowers: <br /> A languid humour stole among the hours, <br /> And if their smiles encountered, he went mad, <br /> And raged deep inward, till the light was brown <br /> Before his vision, and the world, forgot, <br /> Looked wicked as some old dull murder-spot. <br /> A star with lurid beams, she seemed to crown <br /> The pit of infamy: and then again <br /> He fainted on his vengefulness, and strove <br /> To ape the magnanimity of love, <br /> And smote himself, a shuddering heap of pain.<br /><br />George Meredith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/modern-love-ii/
