Maurice Hewlett (1861–1923)

MORE than those

Enfranchised beauties her perfection shows,

Like a concealèd rose,

But to the thickets where she lieth close.

These libertines

Encompass her with hardy-visaged spines;

She frets not nor repines,

But does their bidding meekly, and resigns

Herself to be

Their bond-servant, who shall be more than free

Having a liberty

There where her soul can fear no enemy.

There she doth find

All broad dominion and a heaven all kind,

In her unravisht mind

Whereto her brute possessioners are blind.

Possession goes

No deeper than the surface; there are mines

Far down, whose sacred fee

And golden hold no trammelling can bind.