Page:Wessex poems and other verses (IA wessexpoemsother00hard).pdf/151

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HER IMMORTALITY

I lay, and thought; and in a trance
She came and stood me by—
The same, even to the marvellous ray
That used to light her eye.

"You draw me, and I come to you,
My faithful one," she said,
In voice that had the moving tone
It bore in maidenhead.

She said: "'Tis seven years since I died:
Few now remember me;
My husband clasps another bride;
My children mothers she.

"My brethren, sisters, and my friends
Care not to meet my sprite:
Who prized me most I did not know
Till I passed down from sight."

I said: "My days are lonely here;
I need thy smile alway;
I'll use this night my ball or blade,
And join thee ere the day."

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