Between the reeds I saw their bodies gleam
Who cool no mortal fever in the stream
Crying to the woods the rage of their desires
And their bright hair went down in jeweled fire
Where crystal broke and dazzled shudderingly..

I checked my swift pursuit: for see where lie,
Bruised, being twins in love, my languor sweet,
Two sleeping girls, clasped at my very feet.
I seize and run with them, nor part the pair,
Breaking this covert of frail petals, where
Roses drink scent of the sun and our light play
'Mid tumbled flowers shall match the death of day.

I love that virginal fury - ah, the wild
Thrill when a maiden body shrinks, beguiled,
Shuddering like arctic light, from lips that sear
Her nakedness...the flesh in secret fear !
Contagiously through my linked pair it flies
Where innocence in either, struggling, dies,
Wet with fond tears or some less piteous dew.

Gay in the conquest of these fears, I grew
So rash that I must needs the sheaf divide
Of ruffled kisses heaven itself had tied.
For as I leaned to stifle in the hair
Of one my passionate laughter (taking care
With a stretched finger, that her innocence
Might strain with her companion's kindling sense
To touch the younger one, who lay
Childish, unblushing) my ungrateful pair
Slipped from me, freed by passion's sudden death
Nor heeded the frenzy of my sobbing breath.

Let it pass ! others of their hair shall twist
A rope to drag me to those joys I missed.
See how the ripe pomegranates bursting red
To quench the thirst of the mumbling bees have bled;
So too our blood, kindled by some chance fire,
Flows for the swarming legions of desire.