THE WORST OF IT.

THE WORST OF IT.

1.

WOULD it were I had been false, not you!
I that am nothing, not you that are all :
I, never the worse for a touch or two

On my speckled hide; not you, the pride
Of the day, my swan, that a first fleck's fall
On her wonder of white must unswan, undo!

2.

I had dipped in life's struggle, and out again, Bore specks of it here, there, easy to see, When I found my swan and the cure was plain; The dull turned bright as I caught your white On my bosom: you saved me-saved in vain

If

you ruined yourself, and all through me!

3.

Yes, all through the speckled beast that I am,
Who taught you to stoop; you gave me yourself,
And bound your soul by the vows that damn:

Since on better thought you break, as you ought,
Vows-words, no angel set down, some elf
Mistook,-for an oath, an epigram!

4.

Yes, might I judge you, here were my heart,
And a hundred its like, to treat as you pleased!
I choose to be yours, for my proper part,

Yours, leave or take, or mar me or make;

If I acquiesce, why should you be teased

With the conscience-prick and the memory-smart?

5.

But what will God say? Oh, my sweet,

Think, and be sorry you did this thing! Though earth were unworthy to feel your feet, There's a Heaven above may deserve your love : Should you forfeit Heaven for a snapt gold ring

And a promise broke, were it just or meet?

6.

And I to have tempted you! I, who tried
Your soul, no doubt, till it sank!

Unwise,

I loved, and was lowly, loved and aspired,

Loved, grieving or glad, till I made you mad, And you meant to have hated and despised— Whereas, you deceived me nor inquired!

7.

She, ruined? How? No Heaven for her?
Crowns to give, and none for the brow

That looked like marble and smelt like myrrh?

Shall the robe be worn, and the palm-branch borne,

And she go graceless, she graced now

Beyond all saints, as themselves aver?

8.

Hardly! That must be understood!

The earth is your place of penance, then; And what will it prove? I desire your good, But, plot as I may, I can find no way How a blow should fall, such as falls on men,

Nor prove too much for your womanhood.