Page:Keats - Poetical Works, DeWolfe, 1884.djvu/199



As she had heard old dames full many times declare.


 * They told her how, upon St. Agnes' Eve,
 * Young virgins might have visions of delight,
 * And soft adorings from their loves receive
 * Upon the honey'd middle of the night,
 * If ceremonies due they did aright;
 * As, supperless to bed they must retire,
 * And couch supine their beauties, lily white,
 * Nor look behind, nor sideways, but require

Of Heaven with upward eyes for all that they desire.

VII. :Full of this whim was thoughtful Madeline:
 * The music, yearning like a God in pain,
 * She scarcely heard: her maiden eyes divine,
 * Fix'd on the floor, saw many a sweeping train
 * Pass by—she heeded not at all: in vain
 * Came many a tiptoe, amorous cavalier,
 * And back retired; not cool'd by high disdain,
 * But she saw not: her heart was otherwhere;

She sigh'd for Agnes' dreams, the sweetest of the year.

VIII. :She danced along with vague regardless eyes,
 * Anxious her lips, her breathing quick and short:
 * The hallow'd hour was near at hand: she sighs
 * Amid the timbrels, and the throng'd resort
 * Of whisperers in anger, or in sport;