Not less alone than when alone,
These two-leagues distant-sat.
Through the lamp’s shine he gazed at her.
As Scullion may at Cat.
“Only one word, before I go!
You loved me-once? A day?”
Sidling her eyes, she smiled to herself;
But nothing would she say.
“Some proof, dark heart, I’ve touched your lips,
And never may again!”
She pouted; eyebrows arched to heaven;
But tongueless did remain.
“A nod, a whisper, we two have lain
Clasped in the selfsame bed.”
Fie! seemed her cherry mouth to shape,
Though never a word she said.
“Fool that I’ve been! Not even a hint.
Soul-pocket-spent their all?”
She tilted her round chin an inch,
But nothing could recall.
“You lovely thing! Stay motionless!
A ditch may mirror heaven!”
Her parted lips stirred sluggishly
But never whispered even.
“Shut those cold eyes, then, and say out,
‘Perish in ice, for me!”
The snake lids widened a little space,
But not as if to see.
“Ay? … Then I go to death and hell—
With broken heart and mind!”..
“Others have done the same. And, well-
Well, now they’re more resigned!” …
Stark silence settled in the room.
The lamp-flame ducked; then shone
More brightly, calmly, softly now
That the night-wind’s sigh was gone.
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