Love, Hope, Desire, and Fear

And many there were hurt by that strong boy, His name, they said, was Pleasure, And near him stood, glorious beyond measure Four Ladies who possess all empery In earth and air and sea, Nothing that lives from their award is free. Their names will I declare to thee, Love, Hope, Desire, and Fear, And they the regents are Of the four elements that frame the heart, And each diversely exercised her art By force or circumstance or sleight To prove her dreadful might Upon that poor domain.…