Before The World Was Made

If I make the lashes dark

And the eyes more bright

And the lips more scarlet

Or ask if all be right

From mirror after mirror,

No vanity's displayed

I'm looking for the face I had

Before the world was made



What if I look upon a man

As though on my beloved

And my blood be cold while

And my heart unmoved ?

Why should he think me cruel

Or that he is betrayed ?

I'd have him love the thing that was

Before the world was made.