These were my honey-bees, and soon would swarm

To choose their queen. But ere they did appear,

I heard again that murmur in mine ear

Which seem'd to speak of calm before a storm.

XIX.

"What is it, love?" I whispered in my sleep,

And turned to thee, as April unto May.

"Art mine in truth, mine own, by night and day,

Now and for ever?" And I heard thee weep,

And then persuade; and then my soul did leap