Page:Keats - Poetical Works, DeWolfe, 1884.djvu/178

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166
ISABELLA.

And from her chamber-window he would catch
Her beauty farther than the falcon spies;
And constant as her vespers would he watch,
Because her face was turn'd to the same skies;
And with sick longing all the night outwear,
To hear her morning step upon the stair.

IV.

A whole long month of May in this sad plight

Made their cheeks paler by the break of June:
"To-morrow will I bow to my delight,
To-morrow will I ask my lady's boon."—
"O may I never see another night,
Lorenzo, if thy lips breath not love's tune."—
So spake they to their pillows; but, alas,
Honeyless days and days did he let pass;

V.

Until sweet Isabella's untouch'd cheek

Fell sick within the rose's just domain.
Fell thin as young mother's, who doth seek
By every lull to cool her infant's pain:
"How ill she is!" said he, "I may not speak.
And yet I will, and tell my love all plain:
If looks speak love-laws, I will drink her tears,
And at the least 'twill startle off her cares."

VI.

So said he one fair morning, and all day

His heart beat awfully against his side;
And to his heart he inwardly did pray
For power to speak; but still the ruddy tide