Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/980

 DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI

And still she bow'd herself and stoop'd

Out of the circling charm; Until her bosom must have made

The bar she lean'd on warm, And the lilies lay as if asleep

Along her bended arm.

From the fix'd place of Heaven she saw Time like a pulse shake fierce

Through all the worlds. Her gaze still strove Within the gulf to pierce

Its path, and now she spoke as when The stars sang in their spheres.

The sun was gone now, the curl'd moon

Was like a little feather Fluttering far down the gulf; and now

She spoke through the still weather. Her voice was like the voice the stars

Had when they sang together.

(Ah sweet 1 Even now, in that bird's song,

Strove not her accents there, Fain to be hearkened ? When those bells

Possess'd the mid-day air, Strove not her steps to reach my side

Down all the echoing stair'*)


 * I wish that he were come to me:

For he will come,' she said. 'Have I not pray'd in Heaven ? on earth.

Lord, Lord, has he not pray'd ? Are not two prayers a perfect strength?

And shall I feel afraid?

�� �