CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI
And dreaming through the twilight That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember, And haply may forget.
792 Twice
I TOOK my heart in my hand (O my love, O my love), I said: Let me fall or stand,
Let me live or die, But this once hear me speak
(O my love, O my love) Yet a woman's words are weak; You should speak, not I.
You took my heart in your hand
With a friendly smile, With a critical eye you scann'd,
Then set it down, And said, *It is still unripe,
Better wait awhile, Wait while the skylarks pipe,
Till the corn grows brown.'
As you set it down it broke
Broke, but I did not wince; I smiled at the speech you spoke,
At your judgement I heard But I have not often smiled
Since then, nor question'd since. Nor cared for cornflowers wild,
Nor sung with the singing bird.
�� �
