Her Triumph

    Because I had fancied love a casual

    Improvisation¹， or a settled game

    That followed if I let the kerchief fall：

    Those deeds were best that gave the minute wings

    And heavenly music if they gave it wit；

    And then you stood among the dragon-rings.

    I mocked， being crazy， but you mastered it

    And broke the chain and set my ankles free，

    Saint George or else a pagan Perseus；

    And now we stare astonished at the sea，

    And a miraculous² strange bird shrieks³ at us.