Women have loved before as I love now; br At least, in lively chronicles of the past— br Of Irish waters by a Cornish prow br Or Trojan waters by a Spartan mast br Much to their cost invaded—here and there, br Hunting the amorous line, skimming the rest, br I find some woman bearing as I bear br Love like a burning city in the breast. br I think however that of all alive br I only in such utter, ancient way br Do suffer love; in me alone survive br The unregenerate passions of a day br When treacherous queens, with death upon the tread, br Heedless and willful, took their knights to bed.br br Edna St.