Page:The witch-maid & other verses (1914).djvu/15

 She sat her down beside him and joined her finger-tips And smiled a strange and secret smile that curved her thin red lips; She wore a veil of purple about her body sweet And little silver sandals on her smooth pale feet; Her black hair hung as straight as rain and touched the dead man's eyes, He smiled at her in answer, a scornful smile and wise.

She played with him awhile as might a panther-kitten play, Most horrible it was, and yet I could not look away— I needs must watch her motions, her cruel, supple grace, The delicate swift changes of her sharp-cut face; Till suddenly she wearied, and rising from her knees All in one lovely movement like a sapling in the breeze, She gazed on him who would not play, with gathering surprise— The man she did not understand, though she was very wise—