I am to follow her. There is much grace br In woman when thus bent on martyrdom. br They think that dignity of soul may come, br Perchance, with dignity of body. Base! br But I was taken by that air of cold br And statuesque sedateness, when she said br 'I'm going'; lit a taper, bowed her head, br And went, as with the stride of Pallas bold. br Fleshly indifference horrible! The hands br Of Time now signal: O, she's safe from me! br Within those secret walls what do I see br Where first she set the taper down she stands: br Not Pallas: Hebe shamed! Thoughts black as death, br Like a stirred pool in sunshine break. Her wrists br I catch: she faltering, as she half resists, br 'You love. . . ? love. . . ? love. . . ?' all on an in-drawn breath.