Spiritual Fire

The silver-tongued seduction
has never been my trade,
nor plying suit that's braver
than what with eyes is made,

nor will I offer roses,
nor flatter overmuch,
however fine the feature,
to win a woman's touch.

Let Patience, then, sustain me,
O Muse, or move my station
a little nearer Pieria
where to intoxication

I'll tipple holy water
and drown the rat, Desire,
and let my heart burn only
with spiritual fire.