Page:Stories in Verse.djvu/134

120 Laws were abolished, and pleasure's lewdest voice Hawked in the market-place, and through the streets. Her story done, Veera entreated me To set my face for Mesched with the dawn. "Not yet," I said, "not yet." And then I made Strange passes with my hands, and braced my will, To sway her will; then with a questioning glance She passed out to a calm Mesmeric sleep. So, well I knew that I had found the soul My purpose needed, and I bade her wake.

I sat and pondered in my room that night Until the towers and steeples, near and far, Like sentries of the sky, issued the hour Of midnight. Then I wrought magnetic force With waving hands; and set my swerveless will That Veera should approach me, and that none Should harm or see her as she passed the streets. At last I heard her footstep on the stair— The patter of her feet as soft as rain, And then she turned the hinge and entered in. A long white wrapper made of satin, bound With lace of gold, and fastened at the throat With buttons of cut diamond, clad her form. A band of opals was around her neck— A hundred little worlds with central fires. Her feet were naked, and her hair was down.