Esther, A Sonnet Sequence: Xiv

Me, too, she doubtless read. For, with her hand Raised as for help and pointing to a chair, She bade me, with a gesture, part command And part entreaty, I would set her there. She could not see, she said, the Queen of Love My eyes so coveted, and laughed and laid Upon my lips the fingers of her glove When I protested at the words she said. I hardly know how it all came about But did her bidding as she would, and she From her new vantage bore the humour out And mocked the more at each new mockery. And still she held my arm and I her dress, ``Lest she should fall,'' she said, in waywardness.