164
THE STATUE AND THE BUST.
"I need thee still and might miss perchance.
To-day is not wholly lost, beside,
With its hope of my lady's countenance—
To-day is not wholly lost, beside,
With its hope of my lady's countenance—
"For I ride—what should I do but ride?
And passing her palace, if I list,
May glance at its window—well betide!"
And passing her palace, if I list,
May glance at its window—well betide!"
So said, so done: nor the lady missed
One ray that broke from the ardent brow,
Nor a curl of the lips where the spirit kissed.
One ray that broke from the ardent brow,
Nor a curl of the lips where the spirit kissed.
Be sure that each renewed the vow,
No morrow's sun should arise and set
And leave them then as it left them now.
No morrow's sun should arise and set
And leave them then as it left them now.
But next day passed, and next day yet,
With still fresh cause to wait one more
Ere each leaped over the parapet.
With still fresh cause to wait one more
Ere each leaped over the parapet.
