By a single rapid finger’s lifting, And, with a gesture kind but conclusive, And a little shake of the head, refused me,-- {760} I say, although she never used me, Yet when she was mounted, the gypsy behind her, And I ventured to remind her, I suppose with a voice of less steadiness Than usual, for my feeling exceeded me, --Something to the effect that I was in readiness Whenever God should please she needed me,-- Then, do you know, her face looked down on me With a look that placed a crown on me, And she felt in her bosom,--mark, her bosom-- {770} And, as a flower-tree drops its blossom, Dropped me. . .ah! had it been a purse Of silver, my friend, or gold that’s worse, Why, you see, as soon as I found myself So understood,--that a true heart so may gain Such a reward,--I should have gone home again, Kissed Jacynth, and soberly drowned myself! It was a little plait of hair Such as friends in a convent make To wear, each for the other’s sake,-- {780} This, see, which at my breast I wear, Ever did (rather to Jacynth’s grudgment), And ever shall, till the Day of Judgment. And then,--and then,--to cut short,--this is idle, These are feelings it is not good to foster,-- I pushed the gate wide, she shook the bridle, And the palfrey bounded,--and so we lost her. -- 501. you: ethical dative; there are several examples in the poem, and of “me”; see especially v. 876. 586. impinge: to strike or fall upon or against; in the following passage used ethically:-- “For I find this black mark impinge the man, That he believes in just the vile of life.”--The Ring and the Book: The Pope, v. 511.