THE LETTERS. 1. STILL on the tower stood the vane, A black yew gloom'd the stagnant air, I peer'd athwart the chancel pane A clog of lead was round my feet, Before you hear my marriage vow.' 2. I turn'd and humm'd a bitter song That mock'd the wholesome human heart, And then we met in wrath and wrong, We met, but only meant to part. Full cold my greeting was and dry; She faintly smiled, she hardly moved; I saw with half-unconscious eye She wore the colours I approved. 3. She took the little ivory chest, With half a sigh she turn'd the key, Then raised her head with lips comprest, And gave the trinkets and the rings, My gifts, when gifts of mine could please; As looks a father on the things Of his dead son, I look'd on these. 4. She told me all her friends had said; Henceforth I trust the man alone, The woman cannot be believed. 5. 'Thro' slander, meanest spawn of Hell (And women's slander is the worst), And you, whom once I loved so well, Thro' you, my life will be accurst.' I spoke with heart, and heat and force, I shook her breast with vague alarmsLike torrents from a mountain source We rush'd into each other's arms. 6. We parted: sweetly gleam'd the stars, And sweet the vapour-braided blue, Low breezes fann'd the belfry bars, As homeward by the church I drew. The very graves appear'd to smile, So fresh they rose in shadow'd swells; 'Dark porch,' I said, 'and silent aisle, There comes a sound of marriage bells.' |