Volume Ii Part 18 (2/2)

V

Between the day that struck her old, And this black star of days, Her heart swung like a storm-bell tolled Above a town ablaze.

VI

His beauty pressed to intercede, His beauty served him ill.

- Not Vengeance, 'tis his rebel's deed, 'Tis Justice, not our will!

VII

Yet who had sprung to life's full force A breast that loveless dried?

But who had sapped it at the source, With scarlet to her pride!

VIII

He brought her waning heart as 'twere New message from the skies.

And he betrayed, and left on her The burden of their sighs.

IX

In floods her tender memories poured; They foamed with waves of spite: She crushed them, high her heart outsoared, To keep her mind alight.

X

- The crawling creature, called in scorn A woman!--with this pen We sign a paper that may warn His crowing fellowmen.

XI

- We read them lesson of a power They slight who do us wrong.

That bitter hour this bitter hour Provokes; by turns the strong!

XII

- That we were woman once is known: That we are Justice now, Above our s.e.x, above the throne, Men quaking shall avow.

XIII

Archd.u.c.h.ess Anne ascending flew, Her heart outsoared, but felt The demon of her s.e.x pursue, Incensing or to melt.

XIV

Those counterfloods below at leap Still in her breast blew storm, And farther up the heavenly steep Wrestled in angels' form.

XV

To disentangle one clear wish Not of her s.e.x, she sought; And womanish to womanish Discerned in lighted thought.

XVI

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