I said in pride, — To love's my need;
I will not have him loving me,
I'd walk unhobbled, and indeed
What woman loved was ever free! —

So for a man, I loved a ghost,
And knew chill rapture in the walks of thought,
But when I needed pleasure most,
Imagination gave me naught.

O! Had I given what I fought to take
I had not wept for this cold hunger's sake!