"And let the harm already done suffice; Go, before Mary’s name is wholly gone. Spare her the misery of desertion twice, There’s only ruin in the road you’re on-- Ruin for both, whatever promise shone In sentimental shrinkings from the fact. So, Michael, play the man, and do the generous act. "And go; if not for my sake, go for hers. You only want her with your sentiment. You are water roughed by every wind that stirs, One little gust will alter your intent All ways, to every wind, and nothing meant, Is your life’s habit. Man, one takes a wife, Not for a three months’ fancy, but the whole of life. "We have been friends, and so I speak you fair. How will you bear her ill, or cross, or tired? Sentiment sighing will not help you there. You call a half life’s volume not desired. I know your love for her. I saw it mired, Mired, past going, by your first sharp taste Of life and work; it stopped; you let her whole life waste, "Rather than have the trouble of such love, You will again; but if you do it now, It will mean death, not sorrow. But enough. You know too well you cannot keep a vow. There are gray hairs already on her brow. You brought them there. Death is the next step. Go, Before you take the step." "No," Michael answered, "No. "As for my past, I was a dog, a cur, And I have paid blood-money, and still pay. But all my being is ablaze with her; There is no talk of giving up to-day. I will not give her up. You used to say Bodies are earth. I heard you say it. Liar! You never loved her, you. She turns the earth to fire." "Michael," said Lion, "you have said such things Of other women; less than six miles hence You and another woman felt love’s wings Rosy and fair, and so took leave of sense. She’s dead, that other woman, dead, with pence Pressed on her big brown eyes, under the ground; She that was merry once, feeling the world go round. "Her child (and yours) is with her sister now, Out there, behind us, living as they can; Pinched by the poverty that you allow. All a long autumn many rumours ran About Sue Jones that was: you were the man. The lad is like you. Think about his mother, Before you turn the earth to fire with another." "That is enough," said Michael, "you shall know Soon, to your marrow, what my answer is; Know to your lying heart; now kindly go. The neighbours smell that something is amiss. We two will keep a dignity in this, Such as we can. No quarrelling with me here. Mary might see; now go; but recollect, my dear, "That if you twit me with your wife, you lie; And that your further insult waits a day When God permits that Mary is not by; I keep the record of it, and shall pay. And as for Mary; listen: we betray No one. We keep our troth-plight as we meant. Now go, the neighbours gather." Lion bowed and went.