Classic Poem

And thus my Soul unto my Body said,
With strenuous hardihead;—
“Hear thou this word!
The guests that thou wert wonted to invite
For eye, or ear, or for sweet lip-delight,
Shall not within this house be harborèd!
I have been midnight-mute, and not demurred,
Alas, too long!
Henceforward shall I sternly ward the door,
To any knocking there, attaint with wrong,
Ready to cry, ‘No more!’
Albeit fond familiars, fair of face,
Come smilingly, they shall not step within,—
Beauty, nor Blithesomeness, nor vernal Grace,—
If these are but the glozing cloak of Sin!
Clean-swept are all the rooms, and garnished greenly,
And set about with Purity's white flower;
There sitteth Peace serenely
From the clear stroke of this renewèd hour;
Hereafter shall be incense lifted only
To that pure Love which knoweth no alloy;
And thou, O Body, thou shalt not be lonely
With thy new comrade—Joy!”