LYRICAL AND DRAMATIC. 119
THE HONOURABLE ADULTERERS.
I,
HIS STORY.
LOOKED beneath her eyelids, where her eyes
Like stars were deep, and dim like summer
skies ;
I looked beneath their lashes; and behold!
My own thought mirrored in their maiden gold.
Shame drew to them to cloud their light with lies, .
And shrank back shamed ; and Love waxed bright
and bold. | )
The devilish circle of the fiery ring
Became one moment like a littlé thing,
And Truth and God were'near us to withdraw
The veil of Love’s unalterable law. -
We feared no fury of the jealous King,
But, lest in honour love should find a flaw.
Only our looks and trembling lips we dread,
And the dear nimbus of a lover’s head,
The dreamy splendour and the dim delight
' That feels the fragrance fallen from the night,