A man don’t rent a silver mine. He buys it right out.

Catherynne M Valente, Six-Gun Snow White

Consider also:

  1. “I thought within myself a bitter thing, Standing abased. The golden marriage ring The queen had given–how her beauty stank Now in mine yes, where once their passion drank Its secret sweets of poison. Let the spring Of love once dawn–all else hath little thank!”
  2. “I lifted up my eyes. What soul stood there, Fronting my path? Tall, stately, delicate, A woman fairer than a pomegranate. A silver spear her hands of lotus bear, One shaft of moonlight quivering and straight. She pointed to the East with flashing eyes: ‘Thou canst not see her–but my Queen shall rise.’ Bowed head and beating heart, with feet unsure I passed her, trembling, for she was too pure. I could have loved her. No: she was too wise. Her presence was to gracious to endure. ‘She did not bid me go and chain me to her,’ I cried, comparing.”
  3. “‘Even I myself–my youth within me said: Go, seek this folly; fear not for the dead, And God is with thine arm! I reached the ridge, And saw the river and the ghastly bridge I told you of. Even then, even there, I fled. Nor knight, nor king–a miserable midge! ‘Yet from my shame I dare not turn and run. My oath grows urgent as my days are done. Almost mine hour is on me: for its sake I tell you this, as if my heart should break:– The infinite desire–a burning sun! The listening fear–the sun-devouring snake!'”
  4. “Linger, while I weave The web of mine old agony and shame. A little shadow of that hour of mine Touches thy heart? Fill up the foaming wine, And listen for a little!”
  5. “Glancing up at the sky, he nods goodbye to a silver sliver of moonlight and steps into the alleyway.”