That flame burnt like Cain's offering, in vain—
Then like him, a strange madness seized my heart—
And then I felt a brand upon my brow,
Which I did deem the curse of angry Heaven
For violated vows. And then I bowed
My soul in bitterness of tears, and mourned.
But when again I lifted up my brow,
Azlea was in my sight; and from that hour
I have not known another joy in life,
But the dark, bitter joy of unblest love—
By Heaven unsanctioned, and unreturned on earth!
But even by Heaven rejected, I am still
Only as other men; and like them I
Might love an earthly love and yet be blest,
Had I not found thee so unreachable—
So strangely passionless and coldly pure.
Azlea. Thy dreadful glances, and thy wilder words,
Freeze the warm life-tide in my very heart;
Oh, leave me, Hermon, while my senses last!
Her. Ha, ha! thy senses fail thee, do they? This
Will be delight, to bear thee in my arms,
And chafe thy pearly brow, and woo the tint
Back to thy pearly cheek, with many a kiss
Upon thy lips of coral—ah, thou fliest!
Azlea. Away! away! Oh, Virgin Mary, save me!
Protect me, Heaven—oh, save me—he is mad