Page:Aurora Leigh a Poem.djvu/387

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AURORA LEIGH.
The thrilling, solemn voice, so passionless,Sustained, yet low, without a rise or fall,As one who had authority to speak,And not as Marian.I looked up to feelIf God stood near me and beheld his heavenAs blue as Aaron’s priestly robe appearedTo Aaron when he took it off to die.And then I spoke—‘Accept the gift, I say,My sister Marian, and be satisfied.The hand that gives has still a soul behindWhich will not let it quail for having given,Though foolish worldlings talk they know not what,Of what they know not. Romney’s strong enoughFor this: do you be strong to know he’s strong:He stands on Right’s side; never flinch for him,As if he stood on the other. You’ll be boundBy me? I am a woman of repute;No fly-blow gossip ever specked my life;My name is clean and open as this hand,Whose glove there’s not a man dares blab about,As if he had touched it freely:—here’s my handTo clasp your hand, my Marian, owned as pure!As pure,—I’m a woman and a Leigh!—And, as I’m both, I’ll witness to the worldThat Romney Leigh is honoured in his choice,Who chooses Marian for his honoured wife.’
Her broad wild woodland eyes shot out a light;Her smile was wonderful for rapture. ‘Thanks,
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