Хвилі

           ThediamondsoftheImperialcrownblazeonmyforehead.IheartheroarofthehostilemobasIstepoutontothebalcony.NowIdrymyhands,vigorously,sothatMiss,whosenameIforget,cannotsuspectthatIamwavingmyfistataninfuriatedmob."IamyourEmpress,people."Myattitudeisoneofdefiance.Iamfearless.Iconquer.

           ’Butthisisathindream.Thisisapaperytree.MissLambertblowsitdown.Eventhesightofhervanishingdownthecorridorblowsittoatoms.Itisnotsolid;itgivesmenosatisfaction--thisEmpressdream.Itleavesme,nowthatithasfallen,hereinthepassagerathershivering.Thingsseempaler.Iwillgonowintothelibraryandtakeoutsomebook,andreadandlook;andreadagainandlook.Hereisapoemaboutahedge.Iwillwanderdownitandpickflowers,greencowbindandthemoonlight-colouredMay,wildrosesandivyserpentine.Iwillclasptheminmyhandsandlaythemonthedesk’sshinysurface.Iwillsitbytheriver’stremblingedgeandlookatthewater-lilies,broadandbright,whichlittheoakthatoverhungthehedgewithmoonlightbeamsoftheirownwaterylight.Iwillpickflowers;Iwillbindflowersinonegarlandandclaspthemandpresentthem--Oh!towhom?Thereissomecheckintheflowofmybeing;adeepstreampressesonsomeobstacle;itjerks;ittugs;someknotinthecentreresists.Oh,thisispain,thisisanguish!Ifaint,Ifail.Nowmybodythaws;Iamunsealed,Iamincandescent.Nowthestreampoursinadeeptidefertilizing,openingtheshut,forcingthetight-folded,floodingfree.