6
the story of two lives.
Less sullied thou in body, soul, and heart,
Than I, who acted the self-righteous part;
Better the impulse of some warm, wild sin
Than the world's mildew, rotting all within;
Better a torrid than an arctic sky;
Better a fever than a leprosy!
Than I, who acted the self-righteous part;
Better the impulse of some warm, wild sin
Than the world's mildew, rotting all within;
Better a torrid than an arctic sky;
Better a fever than a leprosy!
I sought once more my old ancestral hall;
All was so changed, it dared no ghosts recall.
Where the impassioned boy? the gentle girl?
There stood my bride, the daughter of an earl.
All praised the decent order of my life,
My graceful children, and my stately wife.
None saw but I, that where my daughters played,
There stood among them an appealing shade;
None knew that where their girlish voices sung,
A softer music in my ears had rung.
Yon woods glare vengeful red in day's decline,
For there, a young bright life was poured like wine!
All was so changed, it dared no ghosts recall.
Where the impassioned boy? the gentle girl?
There stood my bride, the daughter of an earl.
All praised the decent order of my life,
My graceful children, and my stately wife.
None saw but I, that where my daughters played,
There stood among them an appealing shade;
None knew that where their girlish voices sung,
A softer music in my ears had rung.
Yon woods glare vengeful red in day's decline,
For there, a young bright life was poured like wine!
When from the church pealed loud the hour of prayer,
I entered with a self-applauding air;
I entered with a self-applauding air;
