To Louise Imogen Guiney br br Foreseen in Eve's desire, br Foreborne in Adam s bliss, br The whim of a dream on fire br Has brought the world to this: br Foregone was the break of order, br Ere the Will was disobeyed br And the Angel at Eden s border br Stood with a flaming blade. br br This was at the beginning --- br What shall it be at the end! br For the first child borne in sinning br Will God or Nature befriend? br Eve s desire is yet burning br Fair women in country and town, br And Adam's bliss is turning br Empires and kingdoms down. br br Is this the worth of a story, br Is this the dream of a song br A fabled blare of glory, br This battle of right and wrong? br O sweet, fair body of woman, br O strong, brave will of man br Co-equal in the human, br Unequal in the plan! br br The deeds of warriors vanish, br The words of martyrs die, br But never the heart can banish br The drift of Helen's sigh. br Jerusalem is forsaken, br Gomorrah is a lure --- br Eve, once from her sleep awaken, br And Adam s kiss is sure. br br But God is yet the Master, br The dramatist of the play; br If He wove an act of disaster, br He wove an act to allay. br Deep in the dream's forebeing br The Artist was greater than life br Who smiled at His own foreseeing br The Virgin mother and wife.