Page:Aurora Leigh a Poem.djvu/121

‘The world thinks; you have borne with me before
‘And used me in your noble work, our work,
‘And now you shall not cast me off because
‘You’re at the difficult point, the join. ’Tis true
‘Even if I can scarce admit the cogency
‘Of such a marriage . . where you do not love
‘(Except the class), yet marry and throw your name
‘Down to the gutter, for a fire-escape
‘To future generation! it’s sublime,
‘A great example,—a true Genesis
‘Of the opening social era. But take heed;
‘This virtuous act must have a patent weight,
‘Or loses half its virtue. Make it tell,
‘Interpret it, and set it in the light,
‘And do not muffle it in a winter-cloak
‘As a vulgar bit of shame,—as if, at best,
‘A Leigh had made a misalliance and blushed
‘A Howard should know it.’ Then, I pressed him more—
‘He would not choose,’ I said, ‘that even his kin, . .
‘Aurora Leigh, even . . should conceive his act
‘Less sacrifice, more appetite.’ At which
He grew so pale, dear, . . to the lips, I knew
I had touched him. ‘Do you know her,’ he inquired,
‘My cousin Aurora?’ ‘Yes,’ I said, and lied,
(But truly we all know you by your books)
And so I offered to come straight to you,
Explain the subject, justify the cause,
And take you with me to Saint Margaret’s Court
To see this miracle, this Marian Erle,

This drover’s daughter (she’s not pretty, he swears)