Chapter V: Front Matter (5)

Say after me, and try to say
My very words, as if each word
Came from you of your own accord,
In your own voice, in your own way:
‘This woman’s heart, and soul, and brain
‘Are mine as much as this gold chain
‘She bids me wear; which’ (say again)
‘I choose to make by cherishing
‘A precious thing, or choose to fling
‘Over the boat-side, ring by ring.’
And yet once more say ... no word more!
Since words are only words. Give o’er!
Unless you call me, all the same,
Familiarly by my pet-name
Which, if the Three should hear you call,
And me reply to, would proclaim
At once our secret to them all:
Ask of me, too, command me, blame--
Do break down the partition-wall
’Twixt us, the daylight world beholds
Curtained in dusk and splendid folds.
What’s left but--all of me to take?
I am the Three’s; prevent them, slake
Your thirst! ’Tis said, the Arab sage
In practising with gems can loose
Their subtle spirit in his cruce
And leave but ashes: so, sweet mage,
Leave them my ashes when thy use
Sucks out my soul, thy heritage!

_He sings._

I.

Past we glide, and past, and past!
What’s that poor Agnese doing
Where they make the shutters fast?
Grey Zanobi’s just a-wooing
To his couch the purchased bride:
Past we glide!

II.

Past we glide, and past, and past!
Why’s the Pucci Palace flaring
Like a beacon to the blast?
Guests by hundreds--not one caring
If the dear host’s neck were wried:
Past we glide!

_She sings._

I.

The Moth’s kiss, first!
Kiss me as if you made believe
You were not sure, this eve,
How my face, your flower, had pursed
Its petals up; so, here and there
You brush it, till I grow aware
Who wants me, and wide open burst.

II.

The Bee’s kiss, now!
Kiss me as if you entered gay
My heart at some noonday,
A bud that dares not disallow
The claim, so all is rendered up,
And passively its shattered cup
Over your head to sleep I bow.

_He sings._

I.

What are we two?
I am a Jew,
And carry thee, farther than friends can pursue,
To a feast of our tribe,
Where they need thee to bribe
The devil that blasts them unless he imbibe
Thy.... Shatter the vision for ever! And now,
As of old, I am I, Thou art Thou!