CHAPTER XXIV 345
" I dangers dared ; I hindrance scorned I omens did defy : Whatever menaced , harassed , warned , I passed impetuous by .
" On sped my rainbow , fast as light ; I flew as in a dream ; For glorious rose upon my sight That child of Shower and Gleam .
" Still bright on clouds of suffering dim Shines that soft , solemn joy ; Nor care I now , how dense and grim Disasters gather nigh .
" I care not in this moment sweet , Though all I have rushed o ' er Should come on pinion , strong and fleet , Proclaiming vengeance sore :
" Though haughty Hate should strike me down , Right , bar approach to me , And grinding Might , with furious frown , Swear endless enmity .
" My love has placed her little hand With noble faith in mine , And vowed that wedlock ' s sacred band Our nature shall entwine .
" My love has sworn , with sealing kiss , With me to live -- to die ; I have at last my nameless bliss . As I love -- loved am I !"
He rose and came towards me , and I saw his face all kindled , and his full falcon-eye flashing , and tenderness and passion in every lineament . I quailed momentarily -- then I rallied . Soft scene , daring demonstration , I would not have ; and I stood in peril of both : a weapon of defence must be prepared -- I whetted my tongue : as he reached me , I asked with asperity , " whom he was going to marry now ?"
" That was a strange question to be put by his darling Jane ."
" Indeed ! I considered it a very natural and necessary one : he had talked of his future wife dying with him . What did he mean by such a pagan idea ? I had no intention of dying with him -- he might depend on that ."
" Oh , all he longed , all he prayed for , was that I might live with him ! Death was not for such as I ."