Men and Women (Browning)/Volume 2/Another Way of Love
ANOTHER WAY OF LOVE.
1.June was not over,Though past the full,And the best of her rosesHad yet to blow,When a man I know(But shall not discover,Since ears are dull,And time discloses)Turned him and said with a man's true air,Half sighing a smile in a yawn, as 'twere,—"If I tire of your June, will she greatly care?"
2.Well, Dear, in-doors with you!True, serene deadnessTries a man's temper.What's in the blossomJune wears on her bosom?Can it clear scores with you?Sweetness and redness,Eadem semper!Go, let me care for it greatly or slightly!If June mends her bowers now, your hand left unsightlyBy plucking their roses,—my June will do rightly.
3.And after, for pastime,If June be refulgentWith flowers in completeness, All petals, no prickles,Delicious as tricklesOf wine poured at mass-time,—And choose One indulgentTo redness and sweetness:Or if, with experience of man and of spider,She use my June-lightning, the strong insect-ridder,To stop the fresh spinning,—why, June will consider.