Damp from the river; and close behind her stood Huge women blowzed with health, and wind, and rain And labour. Each was like a Druid rock; Or like a spire of land that stands apart Cleft from the main, and clang'd about with mews. Then, as we came, the crowd dividing clove An advent to the throne; and therebeside, Melissa knelt; but Lady Blanche erect Stood up and spake, an affluent orator. It was not thus, O Princess, in old days: I fed you with the milk of every Muse; I loved you like this kneeler, and you me Your second mother: those were gracious times. Then came your new friend: you began to change- You turn'd your warmer currents all to her, And partly that you were my civil head, And chiefly you were born for something great In which I might your fellow-worker be, When time should serve ; and thus a noble scheme Grew up from seed we two long since had sown ; In us true growth, in her a Jonah's gourd, What student came but that you planed her path A foreigner, and I your countrywoman, old friend and tried, she new in all ? But still her lists were swell'd and mine were lean; Yet I bore up in hope she would be known: Then came these wolves: they knew her they endured, Long-closeted with her the yestermorn, To tell her what they were, and she to hear : And me none told not less to an eye like mine, A lidless watcher of the public weal, Last night, their mask was patent, and my foot To meet a cold 'We thank you, we shall hear of it To push my rival out of place and power But public use required she should be known; I spoke not then at first, but watch'd them well, Did she? These monsters blazon'd what they were For thus I hear; and known at last (my work) I grant in her some sense of shame, she flies; I, that have lent my life to build up yours, I that have wasted here health wealth and time And talents, I—you know it-I will not boast: Divorced from my experience, will be chaff We did not know the real light, but chased The wisp that flickers where no foot can tread.' She ceased the Princess answer'd coldly Good: Your oath is broken: we dismiss you go. : For this lost lamb (she pointed to the child) Thereat the Lady stretch'd a vulture throat And shot from crooked lips a haggard smile. The plan was mine. I built the nest' she said To hatch the cuckoo. Rise!' and stoop'd to updrag Melissa she, half on her mother propt, Half-drooping from her, turn'd her face, and cast A liquid look on Ida, full of prayer, Which melted Florian's fancy as she hung, A Niobean daughter, one arm out, Appealing to the bolts of Heaven; and while |