Part 46 (2/2)

XXIII

_In this stanza and the preceding one is suggested the second stage: Wistfulness_.

Or holds a lute on her neglected skirt, And tries to sing of me, and tries in vain; For she dries the tear-wet string with hands inert, And e'er begins, and e'er forgets again, Though she herself composed it once, the loving strain.

XXIV

_Here is suggested the third stage: Desire_.

Or counts the months of absence yet remaining With flowers laid near the threshold on the floor, Or tastes the bliss of hours when love was gaining The memories recollected o'er and o'er-- woman's comforts when her lonely heart is sore.

XXV

_Here is suggested the fourth stage: Wakefulness_.

Such daytime labours doubtless ease the ache Which doubly hurts her in the helpless dark; With news from me a keener joy to wake, Stand by her window in the night, and mark My sleepless darling on her pallet hard and stark.

XXVI

_Here is suggested the fifth stage: Emaciation_.

Resting one side upon that widowed bed, Like the slender moon upon the Eastern height, So slender she, now worn with anguish dread, Pa.s.sing with stifling tears the long, sad night Which, spent in love with me, seemed but a moment's flight.

XXVII

_Here is suggested the sixth stage: Loss of Interest in Ordinary Pleasures_.

On the cool, sweet moon that through the lattice flashes She looks with the old delight, then turns away And veils her eyes with water-weighted lashes, Sad as the flower that blooms in sunlight gay, But cannot wake nor slumber on a cloudy day.

XXVIII

_Here is suggested the seventh stage: Loss of Youthful Bashfulness_.

One unanointed curl still frets her cheek When tossed by sighs that burn her blossom-lip; And still she yearns, and still her yearnings seek That we might be united though in sleep-- Ah! Happy dreams come not to brides that ever weep.

XXIX

_Here is suggested the eighth stage: Absent-mindedness.

For if she were not absent-minded, she would arrange the braid so as not to be annoyed by it_.

Her single tight-bound braid she pushes oft-- With a hand uncared for in her lonely madness-- So rough it seems, from the cheek that is so soft: That braid ungarlanded since the first day's sadness, Which I shall loose again when troubles end in gladness.

x.x.x

_Here is suggested the ninth stage: Prostration.

The tenth stage, Death, is not suggested_.

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