60
BALAUSTION'S ADVENTURE.
This long while (as he muttered presently)To practise with the terms, the blow involvedBy the bargain, sharp to bear, but bearableBecause of plain advantage at the end.Now that, in fact not fancy, the blow fell—Needs must he busy him with the surprise."Alkestis—not to see her nor be seen,Hear nor be heard of by her, any moreTo-day, to-morrow, to the end of time—Did I mean this should buy my life?" thought he.
So, friends came round him, took him by the hand,Bade him remember our mortality,Its due, its doom: how neither was he first,Nor would be last, to thus deplore the loved.
"I understand" slow the words came at last."Nor of a sudden did the evil here
