Page:Veil other poems .djvu/19

 Her lean webbed hands. She floated there. Light as a scentless petalled flower, Water-drops dewing from her hair In tinkling beadlike shower. So circling sidelong, her tender throat Uttered a grieving, desolate wail; Shrill o'er the dark pool lapsed its note. Piteous as nightingale. Ceased Echo. And he?—a life's remorse Welled to a tongue unapt to charm, But never a word broke harsh and hoarse To quiet her alarm.

With infinite stealth his twitching thumb Tugged softly at the tautened gut, Bubble-light, fair, her lips now dumb, She moved, and struggled not;

But with set, wild, unearthly eyes Pale-gleaming, fixed as if in fear. She couched in the water, with quickening sighs. And floated near.

In hollow heaven the stars were at play; Wan glow-worms greened the pool-side grass; Dipped the wide-bellied boat. His prey Gazed on; nor breathed. Alas!—