That my desire, like all strongest hopes, By its own energy fulfill'd itself, Merged in completion? Would you learn at full How passion rose thro' circumstantial grades Beyond all grades develop'd? and indeed I had not staid so long to tell you all, But while I mused came Memory with sad eyes, Holding the folded annals of my youth; And while I mused, Love with knit brows went by, And with a flying finger swept my lips, And spake, "Be wise: not easily forgiven Are those, who setting wide the doors, that bar The secret bridal chambers of the heart, Let in the day." Here, then, my words have end. Yet might I tell of meetings, of farewells Of that which came between, more sweet than each, In whispers, like the whispers of the leaves That tremble round a nightingale--in sighs Which perfect Joy, perplex'd for utterance, And vows, where there was never need of vows, Spread the light haze along the river-shores, Unheedful, tho' beneath a whispering rain But this whole hour your eyes have been intent On that veil'd picture-veil'd, for what it holds May not be dwelt on by the common day. This prelude has prepared thee. Raise thy soul; Make thine heart ready with thine eyes: the time Is come to raise the veil. Behold her there, As I beheld her ere she knew my heart, And often thought, "I'll make them man and wife." Now Dora felt her uncle's will in all, And yearn'd towards William; but the youth, because He had been always with her in the house, Thought not of Dora. Then there came a day When Allan call'd his son, and said, "My son : I married late, but I would wish to see My grandchild on my knees before I die : And I have set my heart upon a match Now therefore look to Dora; she is well To look to; thrifty too beyond her age. Had once hard words, and parted, and he died For I have wish'd this marriage, night and day, For many years." But William answer'd short; 66 "I cannot marry Dora; by my life, I will not marry Dora." Then the old man Was wroth, and doubled up his hands, and said: "You will not, boy! you dare to answer thus ! But in my time a father's word was law, |