DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI

' There will I ask of Christ the Lord Thus much for him and me :

To have more blessing than on earth In nowise ; but to be

As then we were, being as then At peace. Yea, verily.

' Yea, verily ; when he is come

We will do thus and thus : Till this my vigil seem quite strange

And almost fabulous ; We two will live at once, one life ;

And peace shall be with us.'

She gazed, and listened, and then said, Less sad of speech than mild,

'All this is when he comes/ She ceased The light thrill'd past her, filPd

With Angels, in strong level lapse. Her eyes pray'd, and she smiled.

(I saw her smile.) But soon their flight Was vague 'mid the poised spheres.

And then she cast her arms along The golden barriers,

And laid her face between her hands, And wept. (I heard her tears.)

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