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 | The Poetical Works of Robert Browning |  |
197
ADAM, LILITH, AND EVE.
One day it thundered and lightened.
Two women, fairly frightened,
Sank to their knees, transformed, transfixed,
At the feet of the man who sat betwixt;
And “Mercy!” cried each—“if I tell the truth
Of a passage in my youth!”
Two women, fairly frightened,
Sank to their knees, transformed, transfixed,
At the feet of the man who sat betwixt;
And “Mercy!” cried each—“if I tell the truth
Of a passage in my youth!”
Said This: “Do you mind the morning
I met your love with scorning?
As the worst of the venom left my lips,
I thought ‘If, despite this lie, he strips
The mask from my soul with a kiss—I crawl
His slave,—soul, body and all!’”
I met your love with scorning?
As the worst of the venom left my lips,
I thought ‘If, despite this lie, he strips
The mask from my soul with a kiss—I crawl
His slave,—soul, body and all!’”
Said That: “We stood to be married;
The priest, or someone, tarried;
‘If Paradise-door prove locked?’ smiled you.
I thought, as I nodded, smiling too,
‘Did one, that's away, arrive—nor late
Nor soon should unlock Hell's gate!’
The priest, or someone, tarried;
‘If Paradise-door prove locked?’ smiled you.
I thought, as I nodded, smiling too,
‘Did one, that's away, arrive—nor late
Nor soon should unlock Hell's gate!’
198
It ceased to lighten and thunder.
Up started both in wonder,
Looked round and saw that the sky was clear,
Then laughed “Confess you believed us, Dear!”
“I saw through the joke!” the man replied
They re-seated themselves beside.
Up started both in wonder,
Looked round and saw that the sky was clear,
Then laughed “Confess you believed us, Dear!”
“I saw through the joke!” the man replied
They re-seated themselves beside.
| The Poetical Works of Robert Browning | |