Well, she won (yet it was not she-- I am told that she was a praying woman: No earthly power could outwit me-- But hers was superhuman). She has the prize, and I have--well, Memories sweeter than joys of heaven; Memories fierce as the fires of hell-- Those unto me were given. And we sat in the self-same house last night; And he was there. It is no error When I say (and it gave me keen delight) That his eye met mine with terror. When the love we have won at any cost Has grown familiar as some old story, Naught seems so dear as the love we lost, All bright with the Past’s weird glory. And tho’ he is fond of that woman, I know-- I saw in his eyes the brief confession-- That the love seemed sweeter which he let go Than that in his possession. So I am content. It would be the same Were I the wife love-crowned and petted, And she the woman who lost the game-- Then she were the one regretted. And loving him so, I would rather be The one he let go--and then vaguely desired, Than, winning him, once in his face to see The look of a love grown tired. TWO SINNERS. There was a man, it was said one time, Who went astray in his youthful prime. Can the brain keep cool and the heart keep quiet When the blood is a river that’s running riot? And boys will be boys the old folks say, And the man is the better who’s had his day. The sinner reformed; and the preacher told Of the prodigal son who came back to the fold. And Christian people threw open the door, With a warmer welcome than ever before. Wealth and honor were his to command, And a spotless woman gave him her hand. And the world strewed their pathway with blossoms aboom, Crying “God bless ladye, and God bless groom!” There was a maiden who went astray In the golden dawn of her life’s young day. She had more passion and heart than head, And she followed blindly where fond Love led. And Love unchecked is a dangerous guide To wander at will by a fair girl’s side. The woman repented and turned from sin, But no door opened to let her in. The preacher prayed that she might be forgiven, But told her to look for mercy--in Heaven. For this is the law of the earth, we know: That the woman is stoned, while the man may go. A brave man wedded her after all, But the world said, frowning, “We shall not call.” WHAT LOVE IS. Love is the center and circumference; The cause and aim of all things--’tis the key To joy and sorrow, and the recompense For all the ills that have been, or may be. Love is as bitter as the dregs of sin, As sweet as clover-honey in its cell; Love is the password whereby souls get in To Heaven--the gate that leads, sometimes, to Hell.