A Long Way Down From Stephanie

Maid, truly

I see Now it must be a long way down

And with love's burnt shore

Must all dalliance hither

Crumble and wither

Oh strange,

Methought it strange

Thou couldst deprive me of my crown

Thou cast upon me as linden bears fruit of bitter strain

And I would go forsooth to the dragon's tooth

If thus a chance were gained

To resurrect that part of your wanton heart

To whose grave my own is chained

And hold, ere thou dost go

Were not thy moments gilded too?

And in honesty didst thou not measure for measure

Countenance pleasure?

Cold wert thou so cold

Lest thy mind be frozen too

And will not spring be reborn

But might the sun for the frost here

That all be not lost herein

And I would rather, zounds

It were hell's own hounds

Whose foul breath upon my face

Did portent my doom

Than to bear the gloom

Of a world stripped of thy grace

And so in truth

I know Yes it will be a long way down

And if go thou must

Ere we should meet accidental

Prithee be gentle

And though distant now

Perchance the hand of time may soothe

And though lost at six

If I should live to be seven

I might forget

Stephanie