第32章

Loveme？shehisvowsrepeated：

Fieryvowsoftsungandthrummed：

Wondered，asonearthastranger；

Thirsted，trusted，andsuccumbed。

Obelovedyouth!mylover!

Mine!mylover!takemylifeWholly：thineinsoulandbody，Bythisoathofmorethanwife!

Knowmefornohelplesswoman；

Nay，norcoward，thoughIsinkAwedbesidethee，likeaninfantLearningshameereitcanthink。

Swingmehencetodotheeserce，Bethysuccour，provethyshield；

Heavenwillhear!——inhousethyhandmaid，Squireuponthebattlefield。

AtmybreastsIcoolthyfootsoles；

WineIpour，Idressthymeats；

Humbly，whenmylorditpleaseth，Liewithhimonperfumedsheets：

Prayforhim，myblood’sdearfountain，Whilehesleeps，andwatchhisyawnInthatwakeningbabelikemoment，Sweetertomythoughtthandawn!-

Thunderedthenherlordofthunders；

Burstthedoor，and，flashingsword，Louddisgorgedthewoman’stitle：

Condemnationinoneword。

Grandbyrighteouswrathtransfigured，TowersthehusbandwhoprodesInhispersonjudgeandwitness，Death’sblackdoorkeeperbesides!

Roundhisheadtheancientterrors，Conjuredofthestronger’slaw，Circle，toabashthecreatureDaringtwistbeneathhispaw。

HowthoughhehathsquanderedHonourHighofHonourlethimscold：

Gildingoftheman’spossession，’Tisthewoman’scoinofgold。

SheinheritingfrommanyBleedingmothersbleedingsenseFeels’twtherandsharp-fangednatureHonourfirstdidplantthefence。

Nature，thatsoshrieksforjustice；

Honour’sthirst，thatbloodwillslake；

Thesearewomen’sriddles，roughlyMedtowritethemsaintorsnake。

Nevernaturecherishedwoman：

Shethroughoutthesexes’warServesastemptressandbetrayer，Favouringman，themuscular。

Lurefulisshe，bentforfolly；

Doatingonthechildwhichcrows：

Yourstoteachhimgraceinfealty，Whatthebloomis，whattherose。

Hardthetask：yourprison-chamberWidensnotforliftedlatchTillthegiantthewsandsinewsMeettheirGodlikeovermatch。

Readthatriddle，scorningpity’sTears，ofcockatricesshed：

Whentheheartisvowedforfreedom，Captaincyityieldstohead。

Meanwhileyou，freakednature’smartyrs，Honour’sarmy，flowerandweed，Gentleladies，weddedladies，Seeforyouthisfaironebleed。

Solestoodheroffence，shefaltered；

Prayedherlordtheyouthtospare；

PrayedthatintheorangegardenShemightlie，andceasedherprayer。

ThencommandingtoallwomenChastity，herbreastsshelaidBareuntotheself-avenger。

Maninmetalwastheblade。

WhentheSouthsanglikeanightingaleAboveabowerinMay，ThetrainingofLove’sneofflameWaswritinlaws，forlordanddameTosaytheiryeaandnay。

WhentheSouthsanglikeanightingaleAcrossthefloweringnight，Andlordanddameheldgentlesport，TherecameayoungprincesstoCourt，Afrostofbeautywhite。

TheSouthsanglikeanightingaleTothawherglitteringdream：

NoneofLoveherbosomgave，ShedranknowineofLove，butgraveSheheldthemtoLove’stheme。

TheSouthgrewallanightingaleBeneathamoonunmoved：

Likethebannerofwarsheledthemon；

Sheleftthemtolie，likethelightthathasgoneFromwine-cupsoverproved。

WhentheSouthwasaferdnightingale，Andsheachillingmoon，’Twaspitytoseeonthegardenswards，AgainstLove’slaws，thoserallordsAswillow-wandsliestrewn。

TheSouthhadthroatofanightingaleForher，theyoungprincess：

ShegavenoneofLovetorear，Love’swinedrankn