HER APOTHEOSIS “Secretum meum mihi” (FADED WOMAN’S SONG)

There was a spell of leisure, No record vouches when; With honours, praises, pleasure To womankind from men.

But no such lures bewitched me, No hand was stretched to raise, No gracious gifts enriched me, No voices sang my praise.

Yet an iris at that season Amid the accustomed slight From denseness, dull unreason, Ringed me with living light.