As I love thee ! or, Miriam, bid me go !"

CLI

Thereat he loosed her hands, and his own fell,
Mute, to his side ; and like some giant stone,
Poised on' its base by old enchanter's spell,
So that it rocks e'en to a touch alone.
So now he stood, mightily movable,
And through the glamour that is all love's own.
Despite his manhood, ready to be stirred
By the soft touch of her responsive word.
CLII

A moment mute remained she, with her head
Bent on its stem, like some dark crimson rose
When winds have been too rough, which, since, have fled.
But soon, Uke bud that to the sunlight blows.
Her face she lifted to his gaze, and said,
" Did, he not tell you ? For indeed he knows.
He wrung my secret from me on the day
Our joyous war-bark bounded o'er the bay.''

o



194 THE HUMAN TRAGEDY act

CLIII

"What !" he exclaimed, as future, present, past,
Confusedly before him 'gan to swim ;
"What ! Godfrid ! Comes he then once more to blast
My burgeoning hopes ? Oh ! how love's sight is dim ! "
"O, thou mistak'st me quite!" she cried, aghast;
" For thee he pleaded, and I answered him,
Straight from my soul, as now I answer thee : —
Love me, and I will listen, — when Rome is free !

CLIV

"Till then, — but hark !" And ere one grateful word

Could from his bosom burst to ease his joy,

Out through the threshold, like a startled bird.
She flew, he following like an eager boy.
