LOVE AFRAID.

I DARED not lead my arm around Her dainty waist; I dared not seek her lips, that mine Hunger’d to taste: I dared not, for such awe I found, O Love divine! I trembled as my eager hand Her light touch graced; And when her fond look answer’d mine, I dared not haste, But waited, holding my demand For farther sign. Sweet mouth, that with so sweet a sound My dread hath chased, And to my lips the holy wine, Love’s vintage, placed! Dear heart, that ever now will bound Or rest with mine! W. J. Linton.