I—THE EXPLANATION
“YOU thought we knew,” she said, “but we were wrong. | |
| This we can say, the rest we do not say; | |
| Nor do I let you throw yourself away | |
| Because you love me. Let us both be strong, | |
| And we shall find in sorrow, before long, | 5 |
| Only the price Love ruled that we should pay: | |
| The dark is at the end of every day, | |
| And silence is the end of every song. | |
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| “You ask me for one proof that I speak right, | |
| But I can answer only what I know; | 10 |
| You look for just one lie to make black white, | |
| But I can tell you only what is true— | |
| God never made me for the wife of you. | |
| This we can say,—believe me! … Tell me so!” | |
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II—THE ANNIVERSARY
“GIVE me the truth, whatever it may be. | 15 |
| You thought we knew, now tell me what you miss: | |
| You are the one to tell me what it is— | |
| You are a man, and you have married me. | |
| What is it worth tonight that you can see | |
| More marriage in the dream of one dead kiss | 20 |
| Than in a thousand years of life like this? | |
| Passion has turned the lock, Pride keeps the key. | |
| |
| “Whatever I have said or left unsaid, | |
| Whatever I have done or left undone,— | |
| Tell me. Tell me the truth.… Are you afraid? | 25 |
| Do you think that Love was ever fed with lies | |
| But hunger lived thereafter in his eyes? | |
| Do you ask me to take moonlight for the sun?” | |
