Sonnet X By Alan Seeger

    A splendor, flamelike, born to be pursued,
    With palms extent for amorous charity
    And eyes incensed with love for all they see,
    A wonder more to be adored than wooed,
    On whom the grace of conscious womanhood
    Adorning every little thing she does
    Sits like enchantment, making glorious
    A careless pose, a casual attitude;
    Around her lovely shoulders mantle-wise
    Hath come the realm of those old fabulous queens
    Whose storied loves are Art’s rich heritage,
    To keep alive in this our latter age
    That force that moving through sweet Beauty’s means
    Lifts up Man’s soul to towering enterprise.