Page:The New Life (Rossetti 1899) Siddal ed.djvu/101

&#160;&#160;&#160;The New Life (Rossetti 1899) Aldus recto.png fear. Then I, being somewhat reassured, and having perceived that it was a mere phantasy, said unto them, "This thing it was that made me afeard;" and told them of all that I had seen, from the beginning even unto the end, but without once speaking the name of my lady. Also, after I had recovered from my sickness, I bethought me to write these things in rhyme; deeming it a lovely thing to be known. Whereof I wrote this poem:—

pitiful lady, very young,

Exceeding rich in human sympathies,

Stood by, what time I clamour'd upon Death;

And at the wild words wandering on my tongue

And at the piteous look within mine eyes

She was affrighted, that sobs choked her breath.

So by her weeping where I lay beneath,

Some other gentle ladies came to know

My state, and made her go: