A league of street in summer solstice down, Than hammer at this reverend gentlewoman. I knock'd and, bidden, enter'd; found her there And why we came ? I fabled nothing fair, Up went the hush'd amaze of hand and eye. I urged the fierce inscription on the gate, And our three lives. True-we had limed ourselves But such extremes, I told her, well might harm The woman's cause. "Not more than now," she said, "So puddled as it is with favouritism." I tried the mother's heart. Shame might befal Melissa, knowing, saying not she knew: Her answer was "Leave me to deal with that." I spoke of war to come and many deaths, May beat admission in a thousand years, Some say the third-the authentic foundress you. I offer boldly we will seat you highest : And your great name flow on with broadening time For ever. Well, she balanced this a little, And told me she would answer us to-day, Meantime be mute: thus much, nor more I gain'd.' He ceasing, came a message from the Head. That afternoon the Princess rode to take The dip of certain strata to the North. Would we go with her? we should find the land She stood Agreed to, this, the day fled on thro' all Its range of duties to the appointed hour. Then summon'd to the porch we went. Among her maidens, higher by the head, Her back against a pillar, her foot on one Of those tame leopards. Kittenlike he roll'd And paw'd about her sandal. I drew near: My heart beat thick with passion and with awe, And from my breast the involuntary sigh Brake, as she smote me with the light of eyes That lent my knee desire to kneel, and shook My pulses, till to horse we clomb, and so I rode beside her and to me she said: O friend, we trust that you esteem'd us not Too harsh to your companion yestermorn; No-not to her,' I answer'd, but to one of whom we spake Your Highness might have seem'd the thing you say.' 'Again?' she cried are you ambassadresses From him to me? we give you, being strange, A license speak, and let the topic die.' I stammer'd that I knew him-could have wish'd— Our king expects-was there no precontract— There is no truer-hearted-ah, you seem All he prefigured, and he could not see The bird of passage flying south but long'd Your purport, you will shock him ev'n to death, Or baser courses, children of despair.' • Poor boy ' she said ' can he not read-no books? Quoit, tennis, ball-no games? nor deals in that To nurse a blind ideal like a girl, Methinks he seems no better than a girl; As girls were once, as we ourselves have been : We touch on our dead self, nor shun to do it, Being other since we learnt our meaning here, Upon an even pedestal with man.' She paused, and added with a haughtier smile And as to precontracts, we move, my friend, At no man's beck, but know ourselves and thee, O Vashti, noble Vashti! Summon'd out She kept her state, and left the drunken king To brawl at Shushan underneath the palms.' |