Hath marred this pleasant feast.'
"Then I the more
Desired thy gem. 'All things most goodly pour
On Eve their gifts. But I am famished lone,'
I said. And still against the hedge the stone
Rayed like a frozen tear the pure Night shed--
The which with trembling hand I seized, and fled
Afar.
"But now upon my soul weighs sore
A dream. A voice called loud, 'Straightway restore
To Eve that which is hers; lest I, that bright
Set it against the hedge, will quench its light.
Yea, I will crumble it and quickly smite
It into dust e'en from thy hand.' Mine eyes
I careless closed. But yesternight 'Arise!'
The stern voice cried. 'Stay not at all. For lo,
I wait not. Lest I scourge thee sorely, go!'
Ah, Eve, though long upon my heart I wore
This jewel rare, behold, I now restore
Thine own!"
Then Eve cried loud, "Ere my heart break,
Give me my babe! Where is she, for whose sake
I sorrowed all these years--the little maid?"
She said, through tender sobs.
And Lilith laid
Apart upon her breast her garment, dyed
In blended hues. And stooping at Eve's side,
Gave back the child.
As one that ending quest
Most perilous, safe harbor sees--at rest
Among green hills--and enters glad therein,
So Lilith was.
So passed she once again
Into her land.
But Eve, like rain
Long pent, upon the child poured swiftly down
Sweet kisses. And again, twixt laugh and frown
Divided, smoothed the baby face, and through
Her fingers soft the silken hair she drew,
And kissed again.
And with a vague surprise
Recalled the stranger's smile, the mournful eyes,
Much marveling whence she fared. And said, "As pale
She seemed as bramble-blooms in Eden's vale."

When homeward Adam came, the child she set
Upon his knee, saying, "Erewhile I met
An angel. So to me she seemed, as there
She stood. So tall, so yellow-haired, so fair;
And lo, she brought again the babe."
Therewith
She ended low. "Doubtless an angel, love, sith
So you deem her," he replied. And mused on all
Eve told.
And watching, saw a shadow fall
Upon the child. And later, did recall
Those wo