Page:Aurora Leigh a Poem.djvu/390

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AURORA LEIGH.
And honest, and inclined to do the right,And love the truth, and live my life out greenAnd smooth beneath his steps, I should not fearTo make him, thus, a less uneasy timeThan many a happier woman. Very proudYou see me. Pardon, that I set a trapTo hear a confirmation in your voice . .Both yours and yours. It is so good to know’Twas really God who said the same before:For thus it is in heaven, that first God speaks,And then his angels. Oh, it does me good,It wipes me clean and sweet from devil’s dirt,That Romney Leigh should think me worthy stillOf being his true and honourable wife!Henceforth I need not say, on leaving earth,I had no glory in it. For the rest,The reason’s ready (master, angel, friend,Be patient with me) wherefore you and ICan never, never, never join hands so.I know you’ll not be angry like a man(For you are none) when I shall tell the truth,—Which is, I do not love you, Romney Leigh,I do not love you. Ah well! catch my hands,Miss Leigh, and burn into my eyes with yours,—I swear I do not love him. Did I once?’Tis said that women have been bruised to death,And yet, if once they loved, that love of theirsCould never be drained out with all their blood:I’ve heard such things and pondered. Did I indeedLove once? or did I only worship? Yes,
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