Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/921

 WILLIAM BELL SCOTT

And close about us coil'd a mist

Of gnats and midges, wasps and flies,

Like the whirlwind shaft it rist.

Drawn up I was right off my feet,

Into the mist and off my feet; And, dancing on each chimney-top, I saw a thousand darling imps Keeping time with skip and hop.

And on the provost's brave ridge-tile,

On the provost's grand ridge-tile, The Blackamoor first to master me I saw, I saw that winsome smile. The mouth that did my heart beguile, And spoke the great Word over me, In the land beyond the sea.

I call'd his name, I call'd aloud,

Alas' I call'd on him aloud. And then he fill'd his hand with stour, And threw it towards me in the air; My mouse flew out, I lost my pow'r!

My lusty strength, my power were gone;

Power was gone, and all was gone. He will not let me love him more! Of bell and whip and horse's tail He cares not if I find a store.

But I am proud if he is fierce! I am as proud as he is fierce;

stour] dust.

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