I touched that knee. She did not show surprise, br And the earth had not opened at our feet. br She did not even laugh. Her foolish eyes br Twinkled a moment in her cheeks, then set br Like fog--bound stars for ever from my sight. br And at a signal from the little woman, br Who clung to me still, a chorus left and right br Of laughter rose Homeric and inhuman, br Drowning all further sense in one wild roar. br I heard the spotted girl with leopard lips br Complain that she was hungry as before, br And all the world was merged in an eclipse, br Darkening the air around and overhead, br And then I broke away and turned and fled.