第31章

Butwhohadsappeditatthesource，Withscarlettoherpride!

Hebroughtherwaningheartas’twereNewmessagefromtheskies。

Andhebetrayed，andleftonherTheburdenoftheirsighs。

Infloodshertendermemoriespoured；

Theyfoamedwithwavesofspite：

Shecrushedthem，highherheartoutsoared，Tokeephermindalight-

Thecrawlingcreature，calledinscornAwoman!——withthispenWesignapaperthatmaywarnHiscrowingfellowmen-

WereadthemlessonofapowerTheyslightwhodouswrong。

ThatbitterhourthisbitterhourProvokes；byturnsthestrong!-

Thatwewerewomanonceisknown：

ThatweareJusticenow，Aboveoursex，abovethethrone，Menquakingshallavow。

ArchduchessAnneascendingflew，Herheartoutsoared，butfeltThedemonofhersexpursue，Incensingortomelt。

ThosecounterfloodsbelowatleapStillinherbreastblewstorm，AndfartheruptheheavenlysteepWrestledinangels’form。

TodisentangleoneclearwishNotofhersex，shesought；

AndwomanishtowomanishDiscernedinlightedthought。

WithLouis’chanceitwentnotwellWhenatherselfsheraged；

Awoman，ofwhommenmighttellShedoted，crazedandaged。

OrelseenamouredofasweetWithdrawn，avengefulcrone!

Andsay，whatfigureatherfeetIsthisthatuttersmoan？

TheCountessLouisfromherheadDrewveil：’GreatLady，hear!

MyhusbanddeemsyouJusticedread，IknowyouMercydear。

’Hiserroruponhimmayfall；

Hewillnotbreatheanay。

Iamhishelplessmateinall，Exceptforgracetopray。

’Perchanceonmehischoiceinclined，TogehisHouseanheir：

Ihadnotmarriagewithhismind，Hiscounselcouldnotshare。

’IbroughtnoportionforhiswealButthisoneinstincttrue，Whichbidsmeinmyweaknesskneel，ArchduchessAnne，toyou。’

ThefrowningLadyuttered，’Forth!’

Herlookforbadedelay：

’Itisnotminetoweighyourworth；

Yourhusband’sothersweigh。

I

’Hencewiththewomaninyourspeech，’

FornothingitavailsInwoman’sfashiontobeseechWhereJusticeholdsthescales。’

Thenbentandwenttheladywan，WhosegirlishnessmadegreyThethoughtsthatthroughArchduchessAnneShatteredlikestormyspray。

Longsatshethere，asflamethatstresToholdonbeatingwind：-

Hiswifemustbethefoolofwes，Orcunninglydesigned!

Shesatuntilthetempest-pitchInhertornbosomfell；-

HiswifemustbeasubtlewitchOrelseGodlovesherwell!

OldKrakenreadamissepennedByhisgreatLady’shand。

Hercondescensioncalledhimfriend，Toraisethecrestshefanned。

SwiftlytowherehelayencampedItflew，yetbreathedaloofFromwoman’sfeeling，andhestampedAheelmorelikeahoof。

ShewroteofMercy：’ShewaslothToohardtogoadafoe。’

Hestamped，aswhenmendreanoathDelstranscribebelow。

Shewrote：’Wehavehimhalfbytheft。’

Hiswrinklesglistenedkeen：

AndseetheWinterstorm-cloudcleftToluridskiesbetween!

WhenreadoldKraken：’ChristourGuide，’

Hiseyeswerespikesofspar：

Andseethewhitesnow-stormdideAboutanicystar!

’Shetrustedhimtounderstand，’

Shewrote，andfurtherprayedThatpolicymightruletheland。

OldKraken’slaughterneighed。

Herwordshetook；hernodsandwinksTreatedaswoman’sfog。

Theman-dogforhismistressthinks，Notlessherfaithfuldog。

ShehuggedacloakoldKrakenripped；

Disguisetohimheloathed-

Yourmercy，madam，showsyoustripped，Whileminewillkeepyouclothed。

Aroughill-solderedscarin