Now from her hair would twine a musky chain,
To bind his heart--now twist it into curls
Nestling innumerable temptations;
Doubled the darkness of her eyes with surma
To make him lose his way, and over them
Adorn'd the bows that were to shoot him then;
Fresh rose, and then a grain of musk lay there,
The bird of the beloved heart to snare.
Now to the rose-leaf of her cheek would add,
Now with a laugh would break the ruby seal
That, lockt up pearl; or busied in the room
Would smite her hand, perhaps--on that pretence
To lift and show the silver in her sleeve;
Or hastily rising, dash her golden anklets
To draw the crowned head under her feet.
Thus by innumerable bridal wiles
She went about soliciting his eyes,
Which she would scarce let lose her for a moment;
For well she knew that mainly by the eye
Love makes his sign, and by no other road
Enters and takes possession of the heart.