I handed her the gold, her jewels all,
And him the choicest of her robes diverse.

"I'll take you to the doorway in the wall,
And then adieu," I to them. "Friends, withdraw."
They did so; and she went--beyond recall.

And as I paused beneath the arch I saw
Their moonlit figures--slow, as in surprise -
Descend the slope, and vanish on the haw.

"'Fool,' some will say," I thought. "But who is wise,
Save God alone, to weigh my reasons why?"
- "Hast thou struck home?" came with the boughs' night-sighs.

It was my friend. "I have struck well. They fly,
But carry wounds that none can cicatrize."
- "Not mortal?" said he. "Lingering--worse," said I.



LEIPZIG
(1813)
Scene: The Master-tradesmen's Parlour at the Old Ship Inn,
Casterbridge. Evening.



"Old Norbert with the flat blue cap--
A German said to be -