Page:Aurora Leigh a Poem.djvu/375

But if ’tis sweet for love to pay its debt,
’Tis sweeter still for love to give its gift;
and you, be liberal in the sweeter way,—
You can, I think. At least, as touches me,
You owe her, cousin Romney, no amends;
She is not used to hold my gown so fast,
You need entreat her now to let it go:
The lady never was a friend of mine,
Nor capable,—I thought you knew as much,—
Of losing for your sake so poor a prize
As such a worthless friendship. Be content,
Good cousin, therefore, both for her and you!
I’ll never spoil your dark, nor dull your noon,
Nor vex you when you’re merry, nor when you rest:
You shall not need to put a shutter up
To keep out this Aurora. Ah, your north
Can make Auroras which vex nobody,
Scarce known from evenings! also, let me say,
My larks fly higher than some windows. Right;
You’ve read your Leighs. Indeed ’twould shake a house,
If such as I came in with outstretched hand,
Still warm and thrilling from the clasp of one . .
Of one we know, . . to acknowledge, palm to palm,
As mistress there . . the Lady Waldemar.’
‘Now God be with us’ . . with a sudden clash
Of voice he interrupted—’what name’s that?
You spoke a name, Aurora.’
‘Pardon me;
I would that, Romney, I could name your wife