A swift thought flashed to my mind that day
When I first saw you, regally tall
‘ Mid a throng of pigmies — a very Saul —
How some woman's heart must admit your sway,
Some woman's soul to your soul be thrall;
( And though not for me were the rapture to prove you,
I thrilled as I thought how a woman might love you! )
Then — strange that our eyes for a moment should meet
And hold each other a breathless space,
That a light as of dawn should leap into your face,
That the lips that were stern should an instant grow sweet —
Ere you turned, at a word, with a courtier's grace.
( And I knew that tho’ many a woman had loved you,
Till that moment, the glance of no woman had moved you! )
Then you stood at my side and one murmured your name,
The proud old name that you worthily wore,
And I drank the soul-chalice Fate's mandate upbore
To my lips, as the fire of your glance leapt to flame;
What need were of words? heart speaks heart evermore —
( And I knew that were mine but the rapture to prove you,
How deeply, how dearly one woman might love you! )