Get out the microscope, because we’re going through this poem line-by-line.
Lines 115-120
"He shall fear, haply, and be dumb:
Then will I lay my cheek
To his, and tell about our love,
Not once abash'd or weak:
And the dear Mother will approve
My pride, and let me speak."
- The young woman continues on about a certain "He," her lover. Given her use of this and not "you," we can see that they're not really talking to each other, only about each other. They're still separated—bummer.
- About this lover of hers: he's going to be fearful, but that will only be by chance ("haply"), not for any real reason (115). He's also going to be mute ("dumb")—probably due to all that fear (115).
- But the damsel will put her cheek to his and let Mary know all about their love. When she tells Mary this, the young woman won't be shy ("abash'd") or "weak" (118).
- She just knows that Mary will be okay with her doing this, and will let her speak. That's confidence for you.