| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | Sonnets to Aurelia
IV. “‘Lover,’ you say; ‘how beautiful that is’” | | By Robert Nichols (1893–1944) |
| | (From Aurelia & Other Poems, 1920) |
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“LOVER,” you say; “how beautiful that is, | |
| That little word!” and still you sigh it over | |
| Till the twin syllables become a kiss | |
| Against the brow your lips’ light whisperings cover. | |
| Yes, it is beautiful. I have marked it long, | 5 |
| Long in my dusty head its jot secreted, | |
| Yet my heart never knew this word a song | |
| Till in the night softly by you repeated. | |
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| “Lover” again! sounds not this holy word | |
| Worthy the gift its virtues celebrate, | 10 |
| Whose very gentle syllables half-heard | |
| Seem the low sigh of one love-satiate? | |
| Turn, sweet, and let your lips to me discover | |
| The final sweetness lies in the word “lover.” | | | |
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