16
the story of two lives.
I felt remorse, and grief, and shame, and scorn—
The veil was rent, the fond illusion torn!
The veil was rent, the fond illusion torn!
Oh, not to share in innocence and ease,
But only for bare life, on bended knees
I prayed for service, work; but hunted, tossed,
From depth to depth, the world proclaimed me lost.
'Twas sin to be a coward as I was;
I was afraid to starve; I thought the laws
Were harsh and stern; men spoke of prisons, or
Would mocking point where frowned the workhouse door,
But none gave help. Oh, in that fearful coil
Which like a whirlpool sucked me in, I know
Each phase of suffering, from the wretched toil
Which keeps out Death, but gives not Life: to sew
Whole days, whole nights; week after week to seam
Till walls and floors whirl round as in a dream;
To that despair which finds even this withdrawn . .
"Some ebb in trade." Oh, why are women born!
After long years I saw him once again,
I was so stunned, I scarcely felt the pain;
But only for bare life, on bended knees
I prayed for service, work; but hunted, tossed,
From depth to depth, the world proclaimed me lost.
'Twas sin to be a coward as I was;
I was afraid to starve; I thought the laws
Were harsh and stern; men spoke of prisons, or
Would mocking point where frowned the workhouse door,
But none gave help. Oh, in that fearful coil
Which like a whirlpool sucked me in, I know
Each phase of suffering, from the wretched toil
Which keeps out Death, but gives not Life: to sew
Whole days, whole nights; week after week to seam
Till walls and floors whirl round as in a dream;
To that despair which finds even this withdrawn . .
"Some ebb in trade." Oh, why are women born!
After long years I saw him once again,
I was so stunned, I scarcely felt the pain;
