C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
A Woman’s Love
By John Hay (1838–1905)
A
Heard this shrill wail ring out from purgatory:—
“Have mercy, mighty angel,—hear my story!
Love brought me down to death, and death to hell;
For God is just, and death for sin is well.
Nor for myself do ask that grace shall be,
But for my love on earth who mourns for me.
And comfort him one hour, and I were fain
To pay a thousand years of fire and pain.”
That wild vow! Look, the dial finger’s bent
Down to the last hour of thy punishment!”
I cannot rise to peace and leave him so.
Oh, let me soothe him in his bitter woe!”
And upward, joyous, like a rising star,
She rose and vanished in the ether far.
And like a wounded bird her pinions trailing,
She fluttered back, with broken-hearted wailing.
Reclined, his head upon a maiden’s knee—
She curled his hair and kissed him. Woe is me!”
I have been fond and foolish. Let me in
To expiate my sorrow and my sin.”
To be deceived in your true heart’s desire
Was bitterer than a thousand years of fire!”