Page:Pippa Passes 1910.djvu/28

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All my locks loose, and covered you with them—
You, Sebald, the same you!
You, Sebald, the same you!Sebald. Slower, Ottima!
 Ottima. And as we lay—
 Ottima. And as we lay—Sebald. Less vehemently! Love me!
Forgive me! Take not words, mere words, to heart!
Your breath is worse than wine! Breathe slow, speak slow!
Do not lean on me!
Do not lean on me!Ottima. Sebald, as we lay,
Rising and falling only with our pants,
Who said, “Let death come now! ’T is right to die!
Right to be punished! Naught completes such bliss
But woe!” Who said that?
But woe!” Who said that?Sebald. How did we ever rise?
Was ’t that we slept? Why did it end?
Was ’t that we slept? Why did it end?Ottima. I felt you
Taper into a point the ruffled ends
Of my loose locks ’twixt both your humid lips.
My hair is fallen now: knot it again!
 Sebald. I kiss you now, dear Ottima, now and now!
This way? Will you forgive me—be once more
My great queen?
My great queen?Ottima. Bind it thrice about my brow;
Crown me your queen, your spirit’s arbitress,
Magnificent in sin. Say that!
Magnificent in sin. Say that!Sebald. I crown you
My great white queen, my spirit’s arbitress,
Magnificent…
[From without is heard the voice of Pippa, singing—

The year ’s at the spring
And day ’s at the morn;
Morning ’s at seven;