Thy Modesties of Silk and Lace

Thy modesties of silk and lace reveal
A soul more beauteous that art. Thou shade
Of hidden mystery, epistle seal
Untouched, a memory no time can fade
Before the deed is done, unblooméd bud,                                                                      5
Unsullied snow, uninkéd paper white,
Thou gateway of the martyrs holy blood,
And sudden dawn o’erflowed with sunless light,
I hope to find thy truest self in time,
So let these ticking hands make haste, then stop                                                          10
When mortal eyes doth pierce thy veil sublime.
O Patience, madd’ning virtue, layers drop
Away from her fair form, but like a star
They burn so bright, and fall in fields afar.