Hear in my spirit music like thy voice—
Never see vision with so much of heaven
In look or action; that the memory
Of our short intercourse shall live and burn
Forever on the altar of my heart;
If to say I love thee truly, wholly,
With an undying passion, can impress
A deeper sense of truth upon thy mind,
Azlea, I say it—and would be believed!
Azlea. Alvernon, I have never until now
Listened to words of passion; never felt
Aught of a love other than children feel
For parents best and fondest—so that now
Thy words sound through my spirit; but my heart
Is hoarded up from passion. Did I feel
That in my inmost soul which you describe,
I would not let it live!
Alver. Azlea, I have thought thee, and thou art,
The tender girl of nature, full of love;
And yet you tell me that you would not list
Your heart's impassioned pleadings, even when
Another heart joined in its earnest prayer
For the sweet blessing of your love. Is this
The voice of your own spirit? Hath it not
Been darkened by the shadow of mistrust?
Else how didst thou learn to be stern to love?
Azlea. Thou art right in guessing it is not
The natural promptings of my untaught heart
To harden my soul's softness; and I fear
I am not cautious to propriety;
And knowing nothing of life's varied ways,
I would avoid all evil.
Alver.Surely thou
