Laurance Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BCD EFBGHIJKLMGNOPKQ RSTUVWWXXCYGW ZA2QB2C2D2E2F2G2 H2I2A2J2E2K2L2A2M2N2 O2P2 Q2R2S2T2S2BVU2LV2 A2V2LW2L2X2Y2Z2A3KDB 3C3D3E3F3G3H3I3D3S2 J3K3Q2L3 M3I3N3XO3P3Q3R3S3T3C 2K F2U3V3MQ2W3X3Y3Z3A4N B4S2C4D2D4E4R2F4JO2F 4G4J3H4F3KI4 X3J4K4L4R2KC4L3M4E3N 4O4J4VP4GRM3KQ4R4XS4 T4L2U3YIU4V4D2J3W4X4 Y4JZ4E3WW3X4O2R4WO4L 4O4WO4WO4L3L3L3O4 O4O4L3O4Z4L3O4DWL3WJ 4QMO4T4J2O4O4O4KL3F3 WL3 O4Q3WO4L2O4YK O4Z3O2WL3O4T4O4 A L2B4Q2O4O4O4Q2Q O4WZ4F3Q3WO4O4BO4P3M BO4U2O4MO4WL4F3O4O4L 3O4Q3Z4O4 O4O4O4L2O4O4 MO4O4 O4O4O4O4O4O4U3IO4Q3O 4WO4O4KX4A4WDWO4L3BO 4L2J4L3W O4YU3C2O4L2O4O4WU3U3 OL2O4WWO4U3YWC4O4DO4 Q3DU3O4O4U3O4O4O4U3W WU3O4U3U3O4O4O4O4O4O 4H4O4Z3O4M3O4DO4O4O4 O4Q3O4O4O4O4O4O4Q WQ3WO4E3O4U3O4B2U3O4 O4O4C4Q3QU3UO4Q3O4O4 O4TWWO4O4O4O4WO4Z4O4 WO4O4O4O4O4O4C4WZ4YO 4O4O4 O4U2WA4F3O4O4O4 M3BO4O4OU3O4O4U3O4O4 Q2U3U3U3U3U3J2O4O4U3 O4O4U3A4U3Y2O4O4YU3M 3O4Z4KX4O4A4U3O4O4Z4 UO4U3O4 O4O4D4O4O4O4U3U3U3U3 Z3Z3Z4O4QO4O4O4O4 F3H4U3DO4 M3U3U3O4U3C2O4J4U3O4 O4O4Q2O4O4 A U3U3O4O4O4O4O4U3O4Z3 U3O4 U3O4U2Q4YZ4O4O4U3IC2 U3O4U3O4B4O4 F3O4Q3O4IU3O4U3O4O4U 3U3O4Y2O4KJ4O4O4O4U3 O4U3O4O4O4U3U3M3BU3 O4Y2IO4U3YO4Q2U3U3O4 Q2U3O4A4Z3 KO4U3Y2C4O4BO4Q2U3A4 C4A4KU3FO4O4O4 O4O4O4O4O4O4U3Z4O4O4 O4 O4O4O4O4O4U3M3O4O4O4 O4O4 O4U3U3E3BD U3J4 O4U3O4 U3O4O4O4U3U3O4TU3 DO4U3 U3O4Z4O4U3O4O4O4U3 Q3OU3U3U3M3 O4O4Q2O4Q2O4O4O4OQ2O 4 O4 U3O4E3O4O4QO4U3 U3O4Q2O4O4U3QKO4U3U3 O4O4O4J2O4O4 U3Q3O4Q2C4O4O4O4Q2QO 4O4BQ4 U3O4O4O4O4U3Z4O4U3 O4O4O4IU2O4 Q2O4O4 T4O4J4U3C4 J2O4 O4O4O4O4O4U3O4O4E3O4 U3O4O4 O4Q2Q2U3 O2Z4O4O4 O4O4O4O4J4 Q2O4O4 O4O4 U3O4O4 U3U3O4O4 O4Q3 O4 U3U3O4O4O4U3 O4O4O4Q4O4Q2 O4 U3O4 O4O4 U3O4O4O4O4U O4O4U3 Q2O4O4U3Z3

I	A
	-
He knew she did not love him but so long	B
As rivals were unknown to him he dwelt	C
At ease and did not find his love a pain	D
	-
He had much deference in his nature need	E
To honor it became him he was frank	F
Fresh hardy of a joyous mind and strong	B
Looked all things straight in the face So when she came	G
Before him first he looked at her and looked	H
No more but colored to his healthful brow	I
And wished himself a better man and thought	J
On certain things and wished they were undone	K
Because her girlish innocence the grace	L
Of her unblemished pureness wrought in him	M
A longing and aspiring and a shame	G
To think how wicked was the world that world	N
Which he must walk in while from her and such	O
As she was it was hidden there was made	P
A clean path and the girl moved on like one	K
In some enchanted ring	Q
	-
In his young heart	R
She reigned with all the beauties that she had	S
And all the virtues that he rightly took	T
For granted there he set her with her crown	U
And at her first enthronement he turned out	V
Much that was best away for unaware	W
His thoughts grew noble She was always there	W
And knew it not and he grew like to her	X
And like to what he thought her	X
Now he dwelt	C
With kin that loved him well two fine old folk	Y
A rich right honest yeoman and his dame	G
Their only grandson he their pride their heir	W
	-
To these one daughter had been born one child	Z
And as she grew to woman Look they said	A2
She must not leave us let us build a wing	Q
With cheerful rooms and wide to our old grange	B2
There may she dwell with her good man and all	C2
God sends them Then the girl in her first youth	D2
Married a curate handsome poor in purse	E2
Of gentle blood and manners and he lived	F2
Under her father's roof as they had planned	G2
	-
Full soon for happy years are short they filled	H2
The house with children four were born to them	I2
Then came a sickly season fever spread	A2
Among the poor The curate never slack	J2
In duty praying by the sick or worse	E2
Burying the dead when all the air was clogged	K2
With poisonous mist was stricken long he lay	L2
Sick almost to the death and when his head	A2
He lifted from the pillow there was left	M2
One only of that pretty flock his girls	N2
His three were cold beneath the sod his boy	O2
Their eldest born remained	P2
	-
The drooping wife	Q2
Bore her great sorrow in such quiet wise	R2
That first they marvelled at her then they tried	S2
To rouse her showing her their bitter grief	T2
Lamenting and not sparing but she sighed	S2
Let me alone it will not be for long	B
Then did her mother tremble murmuring out	V
Dear child the best of comfort will be soon	U2
O when you see this other little face	L
You will please God be comforted	V2
	-
She said	A2
I shall not live to see it but she did	V2
little sickly face a wan thin face	L
Then she grew eager and her eyes were bright	W2
When she would plead with them Take me away	L2
Let me go south it is the bitter blast	X2
That chills my tender babe she cannot thrive	Y2
Under the desolate dull mournful cloud	Z2
Then all they journeyed south together mute	A3
With past and coming sorrow till the sun	K
In gardens edging the blue tideless main	D
Warmed them and calmed the aching at their hearts	B3
And all went better for a while but not	C3
For long They sitting by the orange trees	D3
Once rested and the wife was very still	E3
One woman with narcissus flowers heaped up	F3
Let down her basket from her head but paused	G3
With pitying gesture and drew near and stooped	H3
Taking a white wild face upon her breast	I3
The little babe on its poor mother's knees	D3
None marking it none knowing else had died	S2
	-
The fading mother could not stay behind	J3
Her heart was broken but it awed them most	K3
To feel they must not dared not pray for life	Q2
Seeing she longed to go and went so gladly	L3
	-
After these three who loved each other well	M3
Brought their one child away and they were best	I3
Together in the wide old grange Full oft	N3
The father with the mother talked of her	X
Their daughter but the husband nevermore	O3
He looked for solace in his work and gave	P3
His mind to teach his boy And time went on	Q3
Until the grandsire prayed those other two	R3
Now part with him it must be for his good	S3
He rules and knows it choose for him a school	T3
Let him have all advantages and all	C2
Good training that should make a gentleman	K
	-
With that they parted from their boy and lived	F2
Longing between his holidays and time	U3
Sped he grew on till he had eighteen years	V3
His father loved him wished to make of him	M
Another parson but the farmer's wife	Q2
Murmured at that No no they learned bad ways	W3
They ran in debt at college she had heard	X3
That many rued the day they sent their boys	Y3
To college and between the two broke in	Z3
His grandsire Find a sober honest man	A4
A scholar for our lad should see the world	N
While he is young that he may marry young	B4
He will not settle and be satisfied	S2
Till he has run about the world awhile	C4
Good lack I longed to travel in my youth	D2
And had no chance to do it Send him off	D4
A sober man being found to trust him with	E4
One with the fear of God before his eyes	R2
And he prevailed the careful father chose	F4
A tutor young the worthy matron thought	J
In truth not ten years older than her boy	O2
And glad as he to range and keen for snows	F4
Desert and ocean And they made strange choice	G4
Of where to go left the sweet day behind	J3
And pushed up north in whaling ships to feel	H4
What cold was see the blowing whale come up	F3
And Arctic creatures while a scarlet sun	K
Went round and round crowd on the clear blue berg	I4
	-
Then did the trappers have them and they heard	X3
Nightly the whistling calls of forest men	J4
That mocked the forest wonners and they saw	K4
Over the open raging up like doom	L4
The dangerous dust cloud that was full of eyes	R2
The bisons So were three years gone like one	K
And the old cities drew them for a while	C4
Great mothers by the Tiber and the Seine	L3
They have hid many sons hard by their seats	M4
But all the air is stirring with them still	E3
The waters murmur of them skies at eve	N4
Are stained with their rich blood and every sound	O4
Means men	J4
At last the fourth year running out	V
The youth came home And all the cheerful house	P4
Was decked in fresher colors and the dame	G
Was full of joy But in the father's heart	R
Abode a painful doubt It is not well	M3
He cannot spend his life with dog and gun	K
I do not care that my one son should sleep	Q4
Merely for keeping him in breath and wake	R4
Only to ride to cover	X
Not the less	S4
The grandsire pondered Ay the boy must WORK	T4
Or SPEND and I must let him spend just stay	L2
Awhile with us and then from time to time	U3
Have leave to be away with those fine folk	Y
With whom these many years at school and now	I
During his sojourn in the foreign towns	U4
He has been made familiar Thus a month	V4
Went by They liked the stirring ways of youth	D2
The quick elastic step and joyous mind	J3
Ever expectant of it knew not what	W4
But something higher than has e'er been born	X4
Of easy slumber and sweet competence	Y4
And as for him the while they thought and thought	J
A comfortable instinct let him know	Z4
How they had waited for him to complete
And give a meaning to their lives and still	E3
At home but with a sense of newness there	W
And frank and fresh as in the school boy days	W3
He oft invading of his father's haunts
The study where he passed the silent morn	X4
Would sit devouring with a greedy joy	O2
The piled up books uncut as yet or wake	R4
To guide with him by night the tube and search
Ay think to find new stars then risen betimes
Would ride about the farm and list the talk
Of his hale grandsire	W
But a day came round	O4
When after peering in his mother's room	L4
Shaded and shuttered from the light he oped	O4
A door and found the rosy grandmother	W
Ensconced and happy in her special pride	O4
Her storeroom She was corking syrups rare	W
And fruits all sparkling in a crystal coat	O4
Here after choice of certain cates well known
He sitting on her bacon chest at ease
Sang as he watched her till right suddenly	L3
As if a new thought came Goody quoth he	L3
What think you do they want to do with me	L3
What have they planned for me that I should do	O4
	-
Do laddie quoth she faltering half in tears
Are you not happy with us not content	O4
Why would ye go away There is no need	O4
That ye should DO at all O bide at home
Have we not plenty	L3
Even so he said	O4
I did not wish to go	Z4
Nay then quoth she	L3
Be idle let me see your blessed face
What is the horse your father chose for you	O4
Not to your mind He is Well well remain	D
Do as you will so you but do it here	W
You shall not want for money	L3
But his arms
Folding he sat and twisted up his mouth
With comical discomfiture	W
What then	J4
She sighed what is it child that you would like
Why said he farming	Q
And she looked at him	M
Fond foolish woman that she was to find	O4
Some fitness in the worker for the work	T4
And she found none A certain grace there was
Of movement and a beauty in the face
Sun browned and healthful beauty that had come
From his grave father and she thought Good lack	J2
A farmer he is fitter for a duke
He walks why how he walks if I should meet	O4
One like him whom I knew not I should ask
'And who may that be ' So the foolish thought	O4
Found words Quoth she half laughing half ashamed	O4
We planned to make of you a gentleman	K
And with engaging sweet audacity	L3
She thought it nothing less he looking up	F3
With a smile in his blue eyes replied to her	W
And hav'n't you done it Quoth she lovingly	L3
I think we have laddie I think we have
	-
Then quoth he I may do what best I like
It makes no matter Goody you were wise
To help me in it and to let me farm
I think of getting into mischief else
No do ye laddie quoth the dame and laughed	O4
But ask my grandfather the youth went on	Q3
To let me have the farm he bought last year	W
The little one to manage I like land	O4
I want some And she womanlike gave way	L2
Convinced and promised and made good her word	O4
And that same night upon the matter spoke	Y
In presence of the father and the son	K
	-
Roger quoth she our Laurance wants to farm
I think he might do worse The father sat	O4
Mute but right glad The grandson breaking in	Z3
Set all his wish and his ambition forth
But cunningly the old man hid his joy	O2
And made conditions with a faint demur	W
Then pausing Let your father speak quoth he	L3
I am content if he is at his word	O4
The parson took him ay and parson like
Put a religious meaning in the work	T4
Man's earliest work and wished his son God speed	O4
	-
	-
II	A
	-
Thus all were satisfied and day by day	L2
For two sweet years a happy course was theirs
Happy but yet the fortunate the young	B4
Loved and much cared for entered on his strife	Q2
A stirring of the heart a quickening keen
Of sight and hearing to the delicate	O4
Beauty and music of an altered world	O4
Began to walk in that mysterious light	O4
Which doth reveal and yet transform which gives
Destiny sorrow youth and death and life	Q2
Intenser meaning in disquieting	Q
Lifts up a shining light men call it Love
	-
Fair modest eyes had she the girl he loved	O4
A silent creature thoughtful grave sincere	W
She never turned from him with sweet caprice
Nor changing moved his soul to troublous hope
Nor dropped for him her heavy lashes low	Z4
But excellent in youthful grace came up	F3
And ere his words were ready passing on	Q3
Had left him all a tremble yet made sure	W
That by her own true will and fixed intent	O4
She held him thus remote Therefore albeit	O4
He knew she did not love him yet so long	B
As of a rival unaware he dwelt	O4
All in the present without fear or hope
Enthralled and whelmed in the deep sea of love
And could not get his head above its wave	P3
To reach the far horizon or to mark
Whereto it drifted him	M
So long so long	B
Then on a sudden came the ruthless fate	O4
Showed him a bitter truth and brought him bale
All in the tolling out of noon	U2
'Twas thus
Snow time was come it had been snowing hard	O4
Across the churchyard path he walked the clock
Began to strike and as he passed the porch
Half turning through a sense that came to him	M
As of some presence in it he beheld	O4
His love and she had come for shelter there	W
And all her face was fair with rosy bloom	L4
The blush of happiness and one held up	F3
Her ungloved hand in both his own and stooped	O4
Toward it sitting by her O her eyes
Were full of peace and tender light they looked	O4
One moment in the ungraced lover's face
While he was passing in the snow and he	L3
Received the story while he raised his hat	O4
Retiring Then the clock left off to strike
And that was all It snowed and he walked on	Q3
And in a certain way he marked the snow	Z4
And walked and came upon the open heath
And in a certain way he marked the cold	O4
And walked as one that had no starting place
Might walk but not to any certain goal
	-
And he strode on toward a hollow part	O4
Where from the hillside gravel had been dug
And he was conscious of a cry and went	O4
Dulled in his sense as though he heard it not	O4
Till a small farmhouse drudge a half grown girl
Rose from the shelter of a drift that lay	L2
Against the bushes crying God O God	O4
O my good God He sends us help at last	O4
	-
Then looking hard upon her came to him	M
The power to feel and to perceive Her teeth
Chattered and all her limbs with shuddering failed	O4
And in her threadbare shawl was wrapped a child	O4
That looked on him with wondering wistful eyes
	-
I thought to freeze the girl broke out with tears
Kind sir kind sir and she held out the child	O4
As praying him to take it and he did	O4
And gave to her the shawl and swathed his charge
In the foldings of his plaid and when it thrust	O4
Its small round face against his breast and felt	O4
With small red hands for warmth unbearable
Pains of great pity rent his straitened heart	O4
For the poor upland dwellers had been out	O4
Since morning dawn at early milking time	U3
Wandering and stumbling in the drift And now	I
Lamed with a fall half crippled by the cold	O4
Hardly prevailed his arm to drag her on	Q3
That ill clad child who yet the younger child	O4
Had motherly cared to shield So toiling through	W
The great white storm coming and coming yet	O4
And coming till the world confounded sat	O4
With all her fair familiar features gone
The mountains muffled in an eddying swirl
He led or bore them and the little one	K
Peered from her shelter pleased but oft would mourn	X4
The elder They will beat me O my can	A4
I left my can of milk upon the moor	W
And he compared her trouble with his own
And had no heart to speak And yet 'twas keen
It filled her to the putting down of pain	D
And hunger what could his do more	W
He brought	O4
The children to their home and suddenly	L3
Regained himself and wondering at himself
That he had borne and yet been dumb so long	B
The weary wailing of the girl he paid	O4
Money to buy her pardon heard them say	L2
Peace we have feared for you forget the milk
It is no matter and went forth again	J4
And waded in the snow and quietly	L3
Considered in his patience what to do	W
With all the dull remainder of his days
	-
With dusk he was at home and felt it good	O4
To hear his kindred talking for it broke	Y
A mocking endless echo in his soul
It is no matter and he could not choose
But mutter though the weariness o'ercame	U3
His spirit Peace it is no matter peace
It is no matter For he felt that all	C2
Was as it had been and his father's heart	O4
Was easy knowing not how that same day	L2
Hope with her tender colors and delight	O4
He should not care to have him know were dead	O4
Yea to all these his nearest and most dear	W
It was no matter And he heard them talk
Of timber felled of certain fruitful fields
And profitable markets
All for him	U3
Their plans and yet the echoes swarmed and swam	U3
About his head whenever there was pause
It is no matter And his greater self
Arose in him and fought It matters much	O
It matters all to these that not to day	L2
Nor ever they should know it I will hide	O4
The wound ay hide it with a sleepless care	W
What shall I make these three to drink of rue	W
Because my cup is bitter And he thrust	O4
Himself in thought away and made his ears
Hearken and caused his voice that yet did seem	U3
Another to make answer when they spoke	Y
As there had been no snowstorm and no porch
And no despair	W
So this went on awhile	C4
Until the snow had melted from the wold	O4
And he one noonday wandering up a lane	D
Met on a turn the woman whom he loved	O4
Then even to trembling he was moved his speech
Faltered but when the common kindly words
Of greeting were all said and she passed on	Q3
He could not bear her sweetness and his pain	D
Muriel he cried and when she heard her name	U3
She turned You know I love you he broke out	O4
She answered Yes and sighed	O4
O pardon me	U3
Pardon me quoth the lover let me rest	O4
In certainty and hear it from your mouth
Is he with whom I saw you once of late	O4
To call you wife I hope so she replied	O4
And over all her face the rose bloom came	U3
As thinking on that other unaware	W
Her eyes waxed tender When he looked on her	W
Standing to answer him with lovely shame	U3
Submiss and yet not his a passionate	O4
A quickened sense of his great impotence
To drive away the doom got hold on him	U3
He set his teeth to force the unbearable
Misery back his wide awakened eyes
Flashed as with flame	U3
And she all overawed	O4
And mastered by his manhood waited yet	O4
And trembled at the deep she could not sound	O4
A passionate nature in a storm a heart	O4
Wild with a mortal pain and in the grasp
Of an immortal love
Farewell he said	O4
Recovering words and when she gave her hand	O4
My thanks for your good candor for I feel	H4
That it has cost you something Then the blush
Yet on her face she said It was your due	O4
But keep this matter from your friends and kin	Z3
We would not have it known Then cold and proud	O4
Because there leaped from under his straight lids
And instantly was veiled a keen surprise
He wills it and I therefore think it well	M3
Thereon they parted but from that time forth
Whether they met on festal eve in field	O4
Or at the church she ever bore herself
Proudly for she had felt a certain pain	D
The disapproval hastily betrayed	O4
And quickly hidden hurt her 'T was a grace
She thought to tell this man the thing he asked	O4
And he rewards me with surprise I like
No one's surprise and least of all bestowed	O4
Where he bestowed it	O4
But the spring came on	Q3
Looking to wed in April all her thoughts
Grew loving she would fain the world had waxed	O4
More happy with her happiness and oft	O4
Walking among the flowery woods she felt	O4
Their loveliness reach down into her heart	O4
And knew with them the ecstasies of growth
The rapture that was satisfied with light	O4
The pleasure of the leaf in exquisite	O4
Expansion through the lovely longed for spring	Q
	-
And as for him Some narrow hearts there are	W
That suffer blight when that they fed upon	Q3
As something to complete their being fails
And they retire into their holds and pine
And long restrained grow stern But some there are	W
That in a sacred want and hunger rise
And draw the misery home and live with it	O4
And excellent in honor wait and will	E3
That somewhat good should yet be found in it	O4
Else wherefore were they born and as for him	U3
He loved her but his peace and welfare made	O4
The sunshine of three lives The cheerful grange	B2
Threw open wide its hospitable doors
And drew in guests for him The garden flowers
Sweet budding wonders all were set for him	U3
In him the eyes at home were satisfied	O4
And if he did but laugh the ear approved	O4
What then He dwelt among them as of old	O4
And taught his mouth to smile	C4
And time went on	Q3
Till on a morning when the perfect spring	Q
Rested among her leaves he journeying home	U3
After short sojourn in a neighboring town	U
Stopped at the little station on the line
That ran between his woods a lonely place
And quiet and a woman and a child	O4
Got out He noted them but walking on	Q3
Quickly went back into the wood impelled	O4
By hope for passing he had seen his love
And she was sitting on a rustic seat	O4
That overlooked the line and he desired	O4
With longing indescribable to look	T
Upon her face again And he drew near	W
She was right happy she was waiting there	W
He felt that she was waiting for her lord	O4
She cared no whit if Laurance went or stayed	O4
But answered when he spoke and dropped her cheek
In her fair hand	O4
And he not able yet	O4
To force himself away and never more	W
Behold her gathered blossom primrose flowers
And wild anemone for many a clump
Grew all about him and the hazel rods
Were nodding with their catkins But he heard	O4
The stopping train and felt that he must go	Z4
His time was come There was nought else to do	O4
Or hope for With the blossom he drew near	W
And would have had her take it from his hand	O4
But she half lost in thought held out her own
And then remembering him and his long love
She said I thank you pray you now forget	O4
Forget me Laurance and her lovely eyes
Softened but he was dumb till through the trees
Suddenly broke upon their quietude	O4
The woman and her child And Muriel said	O4
What will you She made answer quick and keen
Your name my lady 'tis your name I want	O4
Tell me your name Not startled not displeased	O4
But with a musing sweetness on her mouth
As if considering in how short a while	C4
It would be changed she lifted up her face
And gave it and the little child drew near	W
And pulled her gown and prayed her for the flowers
Then Laurance not content to leave them so	Z4
Nor yet to wait the coming lover spoke	Y
Your errand with this lady And your right	O4
To ask it she broke out with sudden heat	O4
And passion What is that to you Poor child	O4
Madam And Muriel lifted up her face
And looked they looked into each other's eyes
	-
That man who comes the clear voiced woman cried	O4
That man with whom you think to wed so soon	U2
You must not heed him What the world is full
Of men and some are good and most God knows
Better than he that I should say it far	W
Better And down her face the large tears ran	A4
And Muriel's wild dilated eyes looked up	F3
Taking a terrible meaning from her words
And Laurance stared about him half in doubt	O4
If this were real for all things were so blithe
And soft air tossed the little flowers about	O4
The child was singing and the blackbirds piped	O4
Glad in fair sunshine And the women both
Were quiet gazing in each other's eyes
	-
He found his voice and spoke This is not well	M3
Though whom you speak of should have done you wrong	B
A man that could desert and plan to wed	O4
Will not his purpose yield to God and right	O4
Only to law You whom I pity so much	O
If you be come this day to urge a claim	U3
You will not tell me that your claim will hold	O4
'Tis only if I read aright the old	O4
Sorrowful hateful story	U3
Muriel sighed	O4
With a dull patience that he marvelled at	O4
Be plain with me I know not what to think
Unless you are his wife Are you his wife	Q2
Be plain with me And all too quietly	U3
With running down of tears the answer came	U3
Ay madam ay the worse for him and me	U3
Then Muriel heard her lover's foot anear	U3
And cried upon him with a bitter cry	U3
Sharp and despairing And those two stood back	J2
With such affright and violent anger stirred	O4
He broke from out the thicket to her side	O4
Not knowing But her hands before her face
She sat and stepping close that woman came	U3
And faced him Then said Muriel O my heart	O4
Herbert and he was dumb and ground his teeth
And lifted up his hand and looked at it	O4
And at the woman but a man was there	U3
Who whirled her from her place and thrust himself
Between them he was strong a stalwart man	A4
And Herbert thinking on it knew his name	U3
What good quoth he though you and I should strive	Y2
And wrestle all this April day A word	O4
And not a blow is what these women want	O4
Master yourself and say it But he weak
With passion and great anguish flung himself
Upon the seat and cried O lost my love
O Muriel Muriel And the woman spoke	Y
Sir 'twas an evil day you wed with me	U3
And you were young I know it sir right well	M3
Sir I have worked I have not troubled you	O4
Not for myself nor for your child I know	Z4
We are not equal Hold he cried have done	K
Your still tame words are worse than hate or scorn	X4
Get from me Ay my wife my wife indeed	O4
All's done You hear it Muriel if you can	A4
O sweet forgive me	U3
Then the woman moved	O4
Slowly away her little singing child	O4
Went in her wake and Muriel dropped her hands
And sat before these two that loved her so	Z4
Mute and unheeding There were angry words
She knew but yet she could not hear the words
And afterwards the man she loved stooped down	U
And kissed her forehead once and then withdrew	O4
To look at her and with a gesture pray	U3
Her pardon And she tried to speak but failed	O4
And presently and soon O he was gone
	-
She heard him go and Laurance still as stone
Remained beside her and she put her hand	O4
Before her face again and afterward	O4
She heard a voice as if a long way off	D4
Some one entreated but she could not heed	O4
Thereon he drew her hand away and raised	O4
Her passive from her seat So then she knew	O4
That he would have her go with him go home	U3
It was not far to go a dreary home	U3
A crippled aunt of birth and lineage high	U3
Had in her youth and for a place and home	U3
Married the stern old rector and the girl
Dwelt with them she was orphaned had no kin	Z3
Nearer than they And Laurance brought her in	Z3
And spared to her the telling of this woe	Z4
He sought her kindred where they sat apart	O4
And laid before them all the cruel thing	Q
As he had seen it After he retired	O4
And restless and not master of himself
He day and night haunted the rectory lanes
And all things even to the spreading out	O4
Of leaves their flickering shadows on the ground	O4
Or sailing of the slow white cloud or peace
And glory and great light on mountain heads
All things were leagued against him ministered	O4
By likeness or by contrast to his love
	-
But what was that to Muriel though her peace
He would have purchased for her with all prayers
And costly passionate despairing tears
O what to her that he should find it worse
To bear her life's undoing than his own
	-
She let him see her and she made no moan
But talked full calmly of indifferent things
Which when he heard and marked the faded eyes
And lovely wasted cheek he started up	F3
With This I cannot bear and shamed to feel	H4
His manhood giving way and utterly	U3
Subdued by her sweet patience and his pain	D
Made haste and from the window sprang and paced	O4
Battling and chiding with himself the maze
	-
She suffered and he could not make her well	M3
For all his loving he was naught to her	U3
And now his passionate nature set astir	U3
Fought with the pain that could not be endured	O4
And like a wild thing suddenly aware	U3
That it is caged which flings and bruises all	C2
Its body at the bars he rose and raged	O4
Against the misery then he made all worse
With tears But when he came to her again	J4
Willing to talk as they had talked before	U3
She sighed and said with that strange quietness
I know you have been crying and she bent	O4
Her own fair head and wept	O4
She felt the cold	O4
The freezing cold that deadened all her life	Q2
Give way a little for this passionate	O4
Sorrow and all for her relieved her heart	O4
And brought some natural warmth some natural tears
	-
	-
III	A
	-
And after that though oft he sought her door	U3
He might not see her First they said to him	U3
She is not well and afterwards Her wish
Is ever to be quiet Then in haste	O4
They took her from the place because so fast	O4
She faded As for him though youth and strength
Can bear the weight as of a world at last	O4
The burden of it tells he heard it said	O4
When autumn came The poor sweet thing will die	O4
That shock was mortal And he cared no more	U3
To hide if yet he could have hidden the blight	O4
That was laying waste his heart He journeyed south
To Devon where she dwelt with other kin	Z3
Good kindly women and he wrote to them	U3
Praying that he might see her ere she died	O4
	-
So in her patience she permitted him	U3
To be about her for it eased his heart	O4
And as for her that was to die so soon	U2
What did it signify She let him weep	Q4
Some passionate tears beside her couch she spoke	Y
Pitying words and then they made him go	Z4
It was enough they said her time was short	O4
And he had seen her He HAD seen and felt	O4
The bitterness of death but he went home	U3
Being satisfied in that great longing now	I
And able to endure what might befall	C2
	-
And Muriel lay and faded with the year	U3
She lay at the door of death that opened not	O4
To take her in for when the days once more	U3
Began a little to increase she felt	O4
And it was sweet to her she was so young	B4
She felt a longing for the time of flowers
And dreamed that she was walking in that wood	O4
With her two feet among the primroses
	-
Then when the violet opened she rose up	F3
And walked the tender leaf and tender light	O4
Did solace her but she was white and wan	Q3
The shadow of that Muriel in the wood	O4
Who listened to those deadly words
And now	I
Empurpled seas began to blush and bloom	U3
Doves made sweet moaning and the guelder rose
In a great stillness dropped and ever dropped	O4
Her wealth about her feet and there it lay	U3
And drifted not at all The lilac spread	O4
Odorous essence round her and full oft	O4
When Muriel felt the warmth her pulses cheer	U3
She faded sat among the Maytide bloom	U3
And with a reverent quiet in her soul
Took back it was His will her time and sat	O4
Learning again to live	Y2
Thus as she sat	O4
Upon a day she was aware of one	K
Who at a distance marked her This again	J4
Another day and she was vexed for yet	O4
She longed for quiet but she heard a foot	O4
Pass once again and beckoned through the trees
Laurance And all impatient of unrest	O4
And strife ay even of the sight of them	U3
When he drew near with tired tired lips
As if her soul upbraided him she said	O4
Why have you done this thing He answered her	U3
I am not always master in the fight	O4
I could not help it	O4
What she sighed not yet	O4
O I am sorry and she talked to him	U3
As one who looked to live imploring him	U3
Try to forget me Let your fancy dwell	M3
Elsewhere nor me enrich with it so long	B
It wearies me to think of this your love
Forget me	U3
	-
He made answer I will try	O4
The task will take me all my life to learn
Or were it learned I know not how to live	Y2
This pain is part of life and being now	I
It is myself but yet but I will try	O4
Then she spoke friendly to him of his home	U3
His father and the old brave loving folk	Y
She bade him think of them And not her words
But having seen her satisfied his heart	O4
He left her and went home to live his life	Q2
And all the summer heard it said of her	U3
Yet she grows stronger but when autumn came	U3
Again she drooped	O4
	-
A bitter thing it is
To lose at once the lover and the love
For who receiveth not may yet keep life	Q2
In the spirit with bestowal But for her	U3
This Muriel all was gone The man she loved	O4
Not only from her present had withdrawn
But from her past and there was no such man	A4
There never had been	Z3
	-
He was not as one	K
Who takes love in like some sweet bird and holds
The winged fluttering stranger to his breast	O4
Till after transient stay all unaware	U3
It leaves him it has flown No this may live	Y2
In memory loved till death He was not vile	C4
For who by choice would part with that pure bird	O4
And lose the exaltation of its song	B
He had not strength of will to keep it fast	O4
Nor warmth of heart to keep it warm nor life	Q2
Of thought to make the echo sound for him	U3
After the song was done Pity that man	A4
His music is all flown and he forgets
The sweetness of it till at last he thinks
'Twas no great matter But he was not vile	C4
Only a thing to pity most in man	A4
Weak only poor and if he knew it undone	K
But Herbert When she mused on it her soul
Would fain have hidden him forevermore	U3
Even from herself so pure of speech so frank	F
So full of household kindness Ah so good	O4
And true A little she had sometimes thought	O4
Despondent for himself but strong of faith
In God and faith in her this man had seemed	O4
	-
Ay he was gone and she whom he had wed	O4
As Muriel learned was sick was poor was sad	O4
And Muriel wrote to comfort her and send	O4
From her small store money to help her need	O4
With Pray you keep it secret Then the whole
Of the cruel tale was told	O4
What more She died	O4
Her kin profuse of thanks not bitterly	U3
Wrote of the end Our sister fain had seen
Her husband prayed him sore to come But no	Z4
And then she prayed him that he would forgive
Madam her breaking of the truth to you	O4
Dear madam he was angry yet we think
He might have let her see before she died	O4
The words she wanted but he did not write	O4
Till she was gone 'I neither can forgive
Nor would I if I could '	-
Patience my heart	O4
And this then is the man I loved	O4
But yet	O4
He sought a lower level for he wrote	O4
Telling the story with a different hue	O4
Telling of freedom He desired to come	U3
For now said he O love may all be well	M3
And she rose up against it in her soul
For she despised him And with passionate tears
Of shame she wrote and only wrote these words
Herbert I will not see you	O4
Then she drooped	O4
Again it is so bitter to despise
And all her strength when autumn leaves down dropped	O4
Fell from her Ah she thought I rose up once
I cannot rise up now here is the end	O4
And all her kinsfolk thought It is the end	O4
	-
But when that other heard It is the end	O4
His heart was sick and he as by a power	U3
Far stronger than himself was driven to her	U3
Reason rebelled against it but his will	E3
Required it of him with a craving strong	B
As life and passionate though hopeless pain	D
	-
She when she saw his face considered him	U3
Full quietly let all excuses pass
Not answered and considered yet again	J4
	-
He had heard that she was sick what could he do	O4
But come and ask her pardon that he came	U3
What could he do indeed a weak white girl
Held all his heartstrings in her small white hand	O4
His youth and power and majesty were hers
And not his own
	-
She looked and pitied him	U3
Then spoke He loves me with a love that lasts
Ah me that I might get away from it	O4
Or better hear it said that love IS NOT	O4
And then I could have rest My time is short	O4
I think so short And roused against himself
In stormy wrath that it should be his doom	U3
Her to disquiet whom he loved ay her	U3
For whom he would have given all his rest	O4
If there were any left to give he took	T
Her words up bravely promising once more	U3
Absence and praying pardon but some tears
Dropped quietly upon her cheek
	-
Remain	D
She said for there is something to be told	O4
Some words that you must hear	U3
	-
And first hear this
God has been good to me you must not think
That I despair There is a quiet time	U3
Like evening in my soul I have no heart	O4
For cruel Herbert killed it long ago	Z4
And death strides on Sit then and give your mind	O4
To listen and your eyes to look at me	U3
Look at my face Laurance how white it is
Look at my hand my beauty is all gone
And Laurance lifted up his eyes he looked	O4
But answered from their deeps that held no doubt	O4
Far otherwise than she had willed they said	O4
Lovelier than ever	U3
	-
Yet her words went on	Q3
Cold and so quiet I have suffered much	O
And I would fain that none who care for me	U3
Should suffer a like pang that I can spare	U3
Therefore said she and not at all could blush
I have brought my mind of late to think of this
That since your life is spoilt not willingly	U3
My God not willingly by me 'twere well	M3
To give you choice of griefs
	-
Were it not best	O4
To weep for a dead love and afterwards
Be comforted the sooner that she died	O4
Remote and left not in your house and life	Q2
Aught to remind you That indeed were best	O4
But were it best to weep for a dead wife	Q2
And let the sorrow spend and satisfy	O4
Itself with all expression and so end	O4
I think not so but if for you 'tis best	O4
Then do not answer with too sudden words
It matters much to you not much not much	O
To me then truly I will die your wife	Q2
I will marry you	O4
	-
What was he like to say
But overcome with love and tears to choose
The keener sorrow take it to his heart	O4
Cherish it make it part of him and watch
Those eyes that were his light till they should close
	-
He answered her with eager faltering words
I choose my heart is yours die in my arms
	-
But was it well Truly at first for him	U3
It was not well he saw her fade and cried	O4
When may this be She answered When you will	E3
And cared not much for very faint she grew	O4
Tired and cold Oft in her soul she thought	O4
If I could slip away before the ring	Q
Is on my hand it were a blessed lot	O4
For both a blessed thing for him and me	U3
	-
But it was not so for the day had come	U3
Was over days and months had come and Death
Within whose shadow she had lain which made	O4
Earth and its loves and even its bitterness
Indifferent Death withdrew himself and life	Q2
Woke up and found that it was folded fast	O4
Drawn to another life forevermore	O4
O what a waking After it there came	U3
Great silence She got up once more in spring	Q
And walked but not alone among the flowers
She thought within herself What have I done	K
How shall I do the rest And he who felt	O4
Her inmost thought was silent even as she	U3
What have we done she thought But as for him	U3
When she began to look him in the face
Considering Thus and thus his features are	O4
For she had never thought on them before	O4
She read their grave repose aright She knew	O4
That in the stronghold of his heart held back	J2
Hidden reserves of measureless content	O4
Kept house with happy thought for her sake mute	O4
	-
Most patient Muriel when he brought her home	U3
She took the place they gave her strove to please
His kin and did not fail but yet thought on	Q3
What have I done how shall I do the rest	O4
Ah so contented Laurance with this wife	Q2
That loves you not for all the stateliness
And grandeur of your manhood and the deeps
In your blue eyes And after that awhile	C4
She rested from such thinking put it by	O4
And waited She had thought on death before	O4
But no this Muriel was not yet to die	O4
And when she saw her little tender babe
She felt how much the happy days of life	Q2
Outweigh the sorrowful A tiny thing	Q
Whom when it slept the lovely mother nursed	O4
With reverent love whom when it woke she fed	O4
And wondered at and lost herself in long	B
Rapture of watching and contentment deep	Q4
	-
Once while she sat this babe upon her knee	U3
Her husband and his father standing nigh	O4
About to ride the grandmother all pride	O4
And consequence so deep in learned talk
Of infants and their little ways and wiles
Broke off to say I never saw a babe
So like its father And the thought was new	O4
To Muriel she looked up and when she looked	O4
Her husband smiled And she the lovely bloom	U3
Flushing her face would fain he had not known
Nor noticed her surprise But he did know	Z4
Yet there was pleasure in his smile and love
Tender and strong He kissed her kissed his babe
With Goody you are left in charge take care	O4
As if I needed telling quoth the dame	U3
And they were gone
	-
Then Muriel lost in thought	O4
Gazed and the grandmother with open pride	O4
Tended the lovely pair till Muriel said	O4
Is she so like Dear granny get me now	I
The picture that his father has and soon	U2
The old woman put it in her hand	O4
	-
The wife	Q2
Considering it with deep and strange delight	O4
Forgot for once her babe and looked and learned	O4
	-
A mouth for mastery and manful work	T4
A certain brooding sweetness in the eyes
A brow the harbor of grave thought and hair	O4
Saxon of hue She conned then blushed again	J4
Remembering now when she had looked on him	U3
The sudden radiance of her husband's smile	C4
	-
But Muriel did not send the picture back	J2
She kept it while her beauty and her babe
Flourished together and in health and peace
She lived	O4
	-
Her husband never said to her	O4
Love are you happy never said to her	O4
Sweet do you love me and at first whene'er	O4
They rode together in the lanes and paused	O4
Stopping their horses when the day was hot	O4
In the shadow of a tree to watch the clouds
Ruffled in drifting on the jagged rocks
That topped the mountains when she sat by him	U3
Withdrawn at even while the summer stars
Came starting out of nothing as new made	O4
She felt a little trouble and a wish
That he would yet keep silence and he did	O4
That one reserve he would not touch but still	E3
Respected	O4
	-
Muriel grew more brave in time	U3
And talked at ease and felt disquietude	O4
Fade And another child was given to her	O4
	-
Now we shall do the old great grandsire cried	O4
For this is the right sort a boy Fie fie	Q2
Quoth the good dame but never heed you love	Q2
He thinks them both as right as right can be	U3
	-
But Laurance went from home ere yet the boy	O2
Was three weeks old It fretted him to go	Z4
But still he said I must and she was left	O4
Much with the kindly dame whose gentle care	O4
Was like a mother's and the two could talk
Sweetly for all the difference in their years
	-
But unaware the wife betrayed a wish
That she had known why Laurance left her thus
Ay love the dame made answer for he said	O4
'Goody ' before he left 'if Muriel ask
No question tell her naught but if she let	O4
Any disquietude appear to you	O4
Say what you know ' What Muriel said and laughed	O4
I ask then	J4
	-
Child it is that your old love	Q2
Some two months past was here Nay never start	O4
He's gone He came our Laurance met him near	O4
He said that he was going over seas
'And might I see your wife this only once
And get her pardon '	-
	-
Mercy Muriel cried	O4
But Laurance does not wish it	O4
	-
Nay now nay
Quoth the good dame	U3
I cannot Muriel cried	O4
He does not surely think I should	O4
	-
Not he	U3
The kind old woman said right soothingly	U3
Does not he ever know love ever do	O4
What you like best	O4
	-
And Muriel trembling yet	O4
Agreed I heard him say the dame went on	Q3
For I was with him when they met that day
'It would not be agreeable to my wife '	-
	-
Then Muriel pondering And he said no more	O4
You think he did not add 'nor to myself '	-
And with her soft calm inward voice the dame	U3
Unruffled answered No sweet heart not he	U3
What need he care And why not Muriel cried	O4
Longing to hear the answer O he knows
He knows love very well with that she smiled	O4
Bless your fair face you have not really thought	O4
He did not know you loved him	U3
	-
Muriel said	O4
He never told me goody that he knew	O4
Well quoth the dame but it may chance my dear	O4
That he thinks best to let old troubles sleep	Q4
Why need to rouse them You are happy sure	O4
But if one asks 'Art happy ' why it sets
The thoughts a working No say I let love	Q2
Let peace and happy folk alone
	-
He said	O4
'It would not be agreeable to my wife '	-
And he went on to add in course of time	U3
That he would ask you when it suited you	O4
To write a few kind words
	-
Yes Muriel said	O4
I can do that	O4
	-
So Laurance went you see	U3
The soft voice added to take down that child	O4
Laurance had written oft about the child	O4
And now at last the father made it known
He could not take him He has lost they say
His money with much gambling now he wants
To lead a good true working life He wrote	O4
And let this so be seen that Laurance went	O4
And took the child and took the money down	U
To pay
	-
And Muriel found her talking sweet	O4
And asked once more the rather that she longed	O4
To speak again of Laurance And you think
He knows I love him	U3
	-
Ay good sooth he knows
No fear but he is like his father love	Q2
His father never asked my pretty child	O4
One prying question took her as she was
Trusted her she has told me so he knew	O4
A woman's nature Laurance is the same	U3
He knows you love him but he will not speak
No never Some men are such gentlemen	Z3

Jean Ingelow

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