The Dame of Athelhall

 I 

"Soul! Shall I see thy face," she said, 
 "In one brief hour? 
And away with thee from a loveless bed 
To a far-off sun, to a vine-wrapt bower, 
And be thine own unseparated, 
 And challenge the world's white glower? 

II 

She quickened her feet, and met him where 
 They had predesigned: 
And they clasped, and mounted, and cleft the air 
Upon whirling wheels; till the will to bind 
Her life with his made the moments there 
 Efface the years behind.
 

III 

Miles slid, and the sight of the port upgrew 
 As they sped on; 
When slipping its bond the bracelet flew 
From her fondled arm.
 Replaced anon, 
Its cameo of the abjured one drew 
 Her musings thereupon.
 

IV 

The gaud with his image once had been 
 A gift from him: 
And so it was that its carving keen 
Refurbished memories wearing dim, 
Which set in her soul a throe of teen, 
 And a tear on her lashes' brim.
 

V 

"I may not go!" she at length upspake, 
 "Thoughts call me back - 
I would still lose all for your dear, dear sake; 
My heart is thine, friend! But my track 
I home to Athelhall must take 
 To hinder household wrack!" 

VI 

He appealed.
 But they parted, weak and wan: 
 And he left the shore; 
His ship diminished, was low, was gone; 
And she heard in the waves as the daytide wore, 
And read in the leer of the sun that shone, 
 That they parted for evermore.
 

VII 

She homed as she came, at the dip of eve 
 On Athel Coomb 
Regaining the Hall she had sworn to leave .
 .
 .
 
The house was soundless as a tomb, 
And she entered her chamber, there to grieve 
 Lone, kneeling, in the gloom.
 

VIII 

From the lawn without rose her husband's voice 
 To one his friend: 
"Another her Love, another my choice, 
Her going is good.
 Our conditions mend; 
In a change of mates we shall both rejoice; 
 I hoped that it thus might end! 

IX 

"A quick divorce; she will make him hers, 
 And I wed mine.
 
So Time rights all things in long, long years - 
Or rather she, by her bold design! 
I admire a woman no balk deters: 
 She has blessed my life, in fine.
 

X 

"I shall build new rooms for my new true bride, 
 Let the bygone be: 
By now, no doubt, she has crossed the tide 
With the man to her mind.
 Far happier she 
In some warm vineland by his side 
 Than ever she was with me.
"

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