Edward Rowland Sill

Tempted

YES, I know what you say.
Since it cannot be soul to soul,
Be it flesh to flesh, as it may;
But is Earth the whole?

Shall a man betray the Past
For all Earth gives?
"But the Past is dead?" At last,
It is all that lives.

Which were the nobler goal—
To snatch at the moment's bliss,
Or to swear I will keep my soul
Clean for her kiss?