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Recantation

I have loved women's faces

Time and again,

But I would rather be

Somewhere at sea,

With the foaming sea-laces,

The sea without stain,

Than all the embraces.

I would rather watch a river flowing,

Or a wild-rose blowing,

Or the swallows that skim,

Or the fish as they swim;

I would rather watch the moon rise,

Or the coming of morn,

Than look in the eyes

Of woman born.

I would rather watch the wild bees

All my days,

And give God the praise,

Than woman and her ways.