Page:Aurora Leigh a Poem.djvu/277

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
AURORA LEIGH.

‘She knew of knowledge,—aye, of knowledge, knew,
‘That Romney Leigh had loved her formerly.
‘And she loved him, she might say, now the chance
‘Was past . . but that, of course, he never guessed,—
‘For something came between them . . something thin
‘As a cobweb . . catching every fly of doubt
‘To hold it buzzing at the window-pane
‘And help to dim the daylight. Ah, man’s pride
‘Or woman’s—which is greatest? most averse
‘To brushing cobwebs? Well, but she and he
‘Remained fast friends; it seemed not more than so,
‘Because he had bound his hands and could not stir:
‘An honorable man, if somewhat rash;
‘And she, not even for Romney, would she spill
‘A blot . . as little even as a tear . .
‘Upon his marriage-contract,—not to gain
‘A better joy for two than came by that!
‘For, though I stood between her heart and heaven,
‘She loved me wholly.’’
Did I laugh or curse?
I think I sat there silent, hearing all,
Ay, hearing double,—Marian’s tale, at once,
And Romney’s marriage vow, ‘I’ll keep to THEE,’
Which means that woman-serpent. Is it time
For church now?
‘Lady Waldemar spoke more,’
Continued Marian, ‘but, as when a soul
Will pass out through the sweetness of a song
Beyond it, voyaging the uphill road,—
Even so mine wandered from the things I heard,