ROBERT BROWNING

A thing to do, and all her hair In one long yellow string I wound Three times her little throat around,

And strangled her. No pain felt she; I am quite sure she felt no pain.

As a shut bud that holds a bee, I warily oped her lids: again Laugh'd the blue eyes without a stain.

And I untighten'd next the tress

About her neck ; her cheek once more

BlushM bright beneath my burning kiss: I propp'd her head up as before, Only, this time my shoulder bore

Her head, which droops upon it still : The smiling rosy little head,

So glad it has its utmost will,

That all it scorn'd at once is fled, And I, its love, am gain'd instead !

Porphyria's love : she guess'd not how Her darling one wish would be heard.

And thus we sit together now,

And all night long we have not stirr'd, And yet God has not said a word !

��721. Song

�� ��but you, who do not love her, Is she not pure gold, my mistress ? Holds earth aught speak truth above her? Aught like this tress, see, and this tress, And this last fairest tress of all, So fair, see, ere I let it fall?

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