| Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922. | | | | Scorned | | By Alexander Smith (1830–1867) |
| | | THE CALLOW young were huddling in the nests, | |
| The marigold was burning in the marsh | |
| Like a thing dipt in sunset, when he came. | |
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| My blood went up to meet him on my face, | |
| Glad as a child that hears its father’s step | 5 |
| And runs to meet him at the open porch. | |
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| I gave him all my being, like a flower | |
| That flings its perfume on a vagrant breeze— | |
| A breeze that wanders on and heeds it not. | |
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| His scorn is lying on my heart like snow, | 10 |
| My eyes are weary, and I fain would sleep: | |
| The quietest sleep is underneath the ground. | |
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| Are ye around me, friends? I cannot see, | |
| I cannot hear the voices that I love, | |
| I lift my hands to you from out the night! | 15 |
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| Methought I felt a tear upon my cheek.— | |
| Weep not, my mother! It is time to rest, | |
| And I am very weary; so, good-night! | | | | |
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