Then he sought to put his arms about her, and draw her to him, but she looked at him as one in surprise, and therewith he feared to touch her. And he fell upon his knees, and buried his face, shamefast, in the hem of her garment, and wept that he had so wounded her whom his soul loved. With all gentleness she put him away from her, and went apart. And her eyes were dry, but her heart bled, so that she was as one sick unto death.
Thoughts of TormentHer thoughts pricked her with torment, that her lord whom she had worshipped kneeling, as is the wont of women, was proven but a weak creature on whom she might not lean for strength, for that he had it not. And it was bitter to her that he whom she had thought to be a man such as the Lord God had meant in the making of the world, had been but as a child, or blind, that he had been deceived by the moon-woman. Wherefore her heart, that had shrined a god, was now empty.
XII.
The Need of Flame
FOR some while did Flame lie upon the ground as one dead, but presently his manhood arose and stood before the Princess Roseheart, saying, "Then wilt thou send me from thee?"
And looking upon his manhood, that would face what must come to it, she saw therewith somewhat that wrung her heart, the look of a little child, with wistful eyes, and mouth A New Sweetnessthat quivered. And she saw that his need of her was greater than it had been aforetime, as of a child for his mother. Wherewith into her heart that had been empty of all things whenas the god might dwell there no longer, there came a new sweetness it could scarce hold, so great was the flood thereof. And through her body and her soul the sweetness surged, so that there remained no bitterness at all, but a great gladness, as of the singing of many waters in spring. In her face was the look as of a young mother looking upon her first man-child that she hath borne in pain with thanksgiving.
Roseheart ForgivethFlame, looking upon the glory that was her face, fell at her feet, crying, "Thou wilt forgive?"