Page:The Improvisatrice.pdf/219

Rh

He saw the lady once at matin time,— Saw her when bent in meek humility Before the altar; she was then unveiled, And gazed upon the face which was Thenceforth the world to him! Awhile he looked Upon the white hands clasped gracefully; The rose-bud lips, moving in silent prayer; The raven hair, that hung as a dark cloud On the white brow of morning! She arose, And as she moved, her slender figure waved Like the light cypress, when the breeze of Spring Wakes music in its boughs. As knelt It chanced her eyes met his, and all his soul Maddened in that slight glance! She left the place; Yet still her shape seemed visible, and still He felt the light through the long eyelash steal