THE LOVER'S QUARREL.
291
Less room for feelings there to rise that have to be repressed;
There she may pass me if she will as one among the rest,
There she may pass me if she will as one among the rest,
And less be there to bring again the thought of things gone by,
And easier for me to bear her changed, averted eye,
And to cold words of courtesy make fitting, due reply.
And easier for me to bear her changed, averted eye,
And to cold words of courtesy make fitting, due reply.
Small heart had I for revels then, and little graced, I trow,
The one I went to as I stood with dark, abstracted brow
And folded arms,—I see it all distinct before me now,
The one I went to as I stood with dark, abstracted brow
And folded arms,—I see it all distinct before me now,
The gay and lighted room, the crowd of smiling faces there,
I smiled (for quickly learnt the stern moralities of Care;)
"It only is that they than I the mask more closely wear."
I smiled (for quickly learnt the stern moralities of Care;)
"It only is that they than I the mask more closely wear."
Was she among the maskers then?—that came into the room
