Alice: An Adultery

THE FIFTIETH DAY Suffolk : “ If I depart from thee I cannot live. Margaret : “ let me hear from thee, For whereso’er thou art in this world’s globe I have an Iris that shall find thee out.” II. King Henry VI. At noon she sailed for home, a weeping bride Widowed before the honeymoon was done. Always before the rising of the sun I swore to come in spirit to her side And lie like love ; and she at eventide Swore to seek me and gather one by one The threads of labyrinthine love new spun, Cretan for monstrous shadows serpent-eyed. So the last kiss passed like a poison-pain, Knowing we might not ever kiss again. Mad tears fell fast : “ Next year ! ” in cruel distress We sobbed, and stretched our arms out, and despaired, And—parted. Out the brute-side of truth flared ; “ Thank God I’ve finished with that foolishness ! ” 92