Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/967

 COVENTRY PATMORE

Because although in act and word

As lowly as a wife can be, Her manners, when they call me lord,

Remind me 'tis by courtesy; Not with her least consent of will,

Which would my proud affection hurt, But by the noble style that still

Imputes an unattain'd desert; Because her gay and lofty brows,

When all is won which hope can ask, Reflect a light of hopeless snows,

That bright in virgin ether bask; Because, though free of the outer court

I am, this Temple keeps its shrine Sacred to Heaven, because, in short,

She's not and never can be mine.

��770 Departure

PT was not like your great and gracious ways' Do you, that have naught other to lament, Never, my Love, repent Of how, that July afternoon, You went,

With sudden, unintelligible phrase, And frighten'd eye, Upon your journey of so many days Without a single kiss, or a good-bye ? I knew, indeed, that you were parting soon ; And so we sate, within the low sun's rays, You whispering to me, for your voice was weak, Your harrowing praise.

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