Red Vanguard - Porphyria’s Lover Lyrics

The rain set early in to-night
The sullen wind was soon awake
It tore the elm-tops down for spite
And did its worst to vex the lake
I listened with heart fit to break
When glided in Porphyria; straight
She shut the cold out and the storm
And kneeled and made the cheerless grate
Blaze up, and all the cottage warm
Which done, she rose, and from her form
Withdrew the dripping cloak and shawl
And laid her soiled gloves by, untied
Her hat and let the damp hair fall
And, last, she sat down by my side
And called me. When no voice replied
She put my arm about her waist
And made her smooth white shoulder bare
And all her yellow hair displaced
And, stooping, made my cheek lie there
And spread, o'er all, her yellow hair
Murmuring how she loved me - she
Too weak, for all her heart's endeavour
To set its struggling passion free
From pride, and vainer ties dissever
And give herself to me for ever
But passion sometimes would prevail
Nor could to-night's gay feast restrain
A sudden thought of one so pale
For love of her, and all in vain
So, she was come through wind and rain
Be sure I looked up at her eyes
Happy and proud; at last I knew
Porphyria worshipped me; surprise
Made my heart swell, and still it grew
While I debated what to do
That moment she was mine, mine, fair
Perfectly pure and good: I found
A thing to do, and all her hair
In one long yellow string I wound
Three times her little throat around
And strangled her. No pain felt she
I am quite sure she felt no pain
As a shut bud that holds a bee
I warily oped her lids: again
Laughed the blue eyes without a stain
And I untightened next the tress
About her neck; her cheek once more
Blushed bright beneath my burning kiss
I propped her head up as before
Only, this time my shoulder bore
Her head, which droops upon it still
The smiling rosy little head
So glad it has its utmost will
That all it scorned at once is fled
And I, its love, am gained instead!
Porphyria's love: she guessed not how
Her darling one wish would be heard
And thus we sit together now
And all night long we have not stirred
And yet God has not said a word!