(remembered pain)
His offer was too tempting
To be lightly set aside
(remembered pride)
I'd wearied of my travel, being
Plaything of the sun and rain—
(choose to remain—)
This was the chance I'd hoped for—
And I said that I would bide.
(I hope—I pray—and you must stay)
Perhaps if I had been a man,
And not a maid, perhaps if I
Had been less lonely, less alone,
Or less of magic folk—
(the spell-bound broke)
Whatever weakness was in me,
Or for whatever reason why
(my reason why)
Something slept within that house
That my own presence woke.
(You dream so much—I try to touch)
A half-seen shadow courted me,
Stirred close at hand or by my side.