And in that time to have seen thee thrice!"

But she:

"Often and often have I chanced to see

My lord pass."

His heart leapt, as leaps the child

Enwombed: "Hast thou—?"

Faintly her quick eyes smiled:

"At this time my house sleepeth, but I wake;

So have time to myself when I can take

New air, and old thought."

As a man who skills

To read high hope out of dark oracles,

So gleamed his eyes; so fierce and quick said he:

"Lady, O God! Now would that I could be

Beside thee there, breathing thy breath, thy thought

Gathering!" Silent stood she, memory-fraught,

Nor looked his way. But he must know her soul,

So harpt upon her heart. "Is this the whole

That thou wouldst have me think, that thou com'st here

Alone to be?"

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