Page:Aurora Leigh a Poem.djvu/277

Rh ‘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,