Her brother came; the king her father charm'd Her wounded soul with words: nor did mine own Refuse her proffer, lastly gave his hand. Then us they lifted up, dead weights, and bare Straight to the doors: to them the doors gave way Groaning, and in the Vestal entry shriek'd The virgin marble under iron heels: And on they moved and gain'd the hall, and there Of female whisperers: at the further end That o'er the statues leapt from head to head, Now set a wrathful Dian's moon on flame, And now and then an echo started up, And shuddering fled from room to room, and died Of fright in far apartments. Then the voice Of Ida sounded, issuing ordinance : And me they bore up the broad stairs, and thro' The long-laid galleries past a hundred doors To one deep chamber shut from sound, and due To languid limbs and sickness; left me in it; And others otherwhere they laid; and all That afternoon a sound arose of hoof And chariot, many a maiden passing home. Ask me no more: the moon may draw the sea; With fold to fold, of mountain or of cape; But O too fond, when have I answer'd thee? Ask me no more: what answer should I give? I love not hollow cheek or faded eye: Ask me no more: thy fate and mine are seal'd: Y 2 VII. So was their sanctuary violated, So their fair college turn'd to hospital; At first with all confusion: by and bye A kindlier influence reign'd; and everywhere Hung round the sick : the maidens came, they talk'd, To gather light, and she that was, became And in their own clear element, they moved. And hatred of her weakness, blent with shame. Old studies fail'd; seldom she spoke; but oft |