Why, I dared not name a sin
In her presence: I went round,
Clipped its name and shut it in
Some
mysterious
crystal sound,--
Changed the dagger for the pin.
Elizabeth Browning
Just to show what beauty may,
Just to prove what music can,--
And then to die away
From the presence of a man,
Who shall learn, henceforth, to pray?
XVI.
As a door, left half ajar
In heaven, would make him think
How heavenly-different are
Things glanced at through the chink,
Till he pined from near to far.
XVII.
That door could lead to hell?
That shining merely meant
Damnation? What! She fell
Like a woman, who was sent
Like an angel, by a spell?
XVIII.
She, who scarcely trod the earth,
Turned mere dirt? My Agnes,--mine!
Called so! felt of too much worth
To be used so! too divine
To be breathed near, and so forth!
XIX.
Why, I dared not name a sin
In her presence: I went round,
Clipped its name and shut it in
Some
mysterious
crystal sound,--
Changed the dagger for the pin.
XX.
Now you name herself _that word_?
O my Agnes! O my saint!
Then the great joys of the Lord
Do not last? Then all this paint
Runs off nature? leaves a board?
XXI.
Who's dead here? No, not she:
Rather I! or whence this damp
Cold corruption's misery?
While my very mourners stamp
Closer in the clods on me.
XXII.
And my mouth is full of dust
Till I cannot speak and curse--
Speak and damn him ..
