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Page 27
"But he seemed
Angry because he loved me, not because
He changed against me. I might yet have learned
My new life, have been tuned to that loud love
That hurt me. But, before I could begin
To love him, I was taught to scorn.
There came
A dreadful woman, with bloomed artful cheeks,
And deep great glittering eyes, and a false voice
That purred and coaxed, and cruel bland slow smiles
Quivering with hatred - a great countess she.
I knew her name and would have been well pleased
To be among the guests who weekly flocked
To see her splendours: but Emilio said
'Let the great ladies go, who smile and kiss
And then turn round and whisper to some man
New lies about her; and we men may go -
There's a fine nature in her and she's keen
And beautiful and loves our Italy -
But my wife who is a little spotless dove
Flies with no glorious prey-birds such as she.'
But the great lady came to me and said
'Your husband hides you, Sweet. He is afraid
Some bold man's eye should see you and observe
What a new rare rose you are for lovers. Well,
He will not bring you to me, so I come
To you.' And then, when I had spoken her
Some faint few words of welcome, she laughed out
A hard unnatural melodious laugh;
'We will be friends,' she said, 'some women now
Would hate you, little girl, for laying hands
On a jewel like Emilio. I forgive...
And I have forgiven him too.'
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