TO JOSEPHINE.
AN APOLOGY.
I thought of Shakspere saying long ago,
That forms were but devised to set a gloss
On hollow welcomes, making up the loss
Of kindness, with their faint, unreal show,
When Thou to give me greeting didst upraise
Thy gracious head, bowed ever lowly down
As if thou didst incline to meet thy crown
Of Blessing, and of Favour and of Praise;
Then looking for the first time in thine eyes,
My soul rushed up to thine, and did disclaim
All set approaches, swift to recognise
Its kindred—and I called thee by thy name!
That forms were but devised to set a gloss
On hollow welcomes, making up the loss
Of kindness, with their faint, unreal show,
When Thou to give me greeting didst upraise
Thy gracious head, bowed ever lowly down
As if thou didst incline to meet thy crown
Of Blessing, and of Favour and of Praise;
Then looking for the first time in thine eyes,
My soul rushed up to thine, and did disclaim
All set approaches, swift to recognise
Its kindred—and I called thee by thy name!
