Hand in Hand/Love's Hypocrisy

by Alice MacDonald Kipling

Love's Hypocrisy

HER lips said "Go"; her shining eyes said "Stay."
How tell which was her meaning, which her will?
How read the riddle of her yea and nay,
And disentangle each, bewildered still ?
Hearing her chilling tone, all hope expired;
Seeing her glowing eyes, despair took heart;
One moment certain of the good desired;
One moment turning, hopeless, to depart.

Then, as she stood, with half averted face,
From head to feet veiled from his ardent eyes,
Sudden she changed, and with triumphant grace
Flung off the mantle of her soul's disguise!
Sweet hypocrite how false was all her feigning,
Turning for flight, yet, while she turned, remaining!