Page:Victor Hugo's Works (Guernsey Edition) v14.djvu/54

36

And he was there to-night?

Oh, yes! He offered me the holy water

As I passed in. I trembled so, Brigitta,

When our hands met, I fear he must have marked it,

But that he seemed almost as trembling, too,

As I was.

He! a brazen popinjay,

I'll warrant me, for all his downcast looks!

I wonder how my master would endure

To hear of such audacious goings on!

That makes me sad. My father is so kind,

I cannot bear to have a secret from him.

Sometimes I feel as I would tell him all;

But then, I think, perhaps he would forbid me

From going out to church; and 't is so dull

To be shut up here all the long bright day:

From morn till dark, to mark the busy stir

Under the window, and the happy voices

Of holiday-makers, that go out and in

Just as they please. Look at the birds, Brigitta!

Their wings are free, yet no harm comes to them;

I'm sure they're innocent! And then to hear

Sometimes the trumpets, as the knights ride by,

And tramp of armed men; [Lute sounds without.] sometimes a lute.

Hark! 't is his lute! I know the air, how sweet!

My good Brigitta, would there be much harm

If I touched mine, only a little touch,

To tell him I am listening?