MARY MAGDALEN
Gentle of speech she answered me:—
"Sir, I was sick with revelry.
True, I have scarred the night with sin,
A pale and tawdry heroine;
But once I heard a voice that said
'Who lives in sin is surely dead,
But whoso turns to follow Me
Hath joy and immortality.'"
"O Mary, not for this," I cried,
"Didst thou renounce thy scented pride.
Not for a prize of endless years,
Or barren joy apart from tears
Didst thou desert the courts of men.
Tell me thy truth, sweet Magdalen!"
She trembled, and her eyes grew dim:—
"For love of Him, for love of Him."
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