And so remained; but urged to it by the spell

He cast, she whispered down, "I cannot tell

Thee here, and thus apart"—which when he had

In its full import drove him well-nigh mad

With longing. "Call me and I come!"

But fear

Flamed in her eyes: "No, no, 'tis death! He's here

At hand. 'Tis death for thee, and worse than death—"

She ended so—"for both of us."

And breath

Failed him, for well he knew now what she meant,

[38]

And sighed his thanks to Gods beneficent.

Thereafter in sweet use of lovers' talk,

In boon spring weather, whenas lovers walk

Handfasted through the meadows pied, and wet

With dew from flower and leaf, these lovers met—

Two bodies separate, one wild heart between,

Day after day, these two long-severed been;

And of this mating of the eye and tongue

 Prev. P 44/259 next