Page:Poems Jackson.djvu/330

I am his wife. I laid the plot.
Except for me, the thought had not
Been his. 'T was only I deceived
The Lady Choy. He but believed
What I desired.The guilt is mine,
All mine. Tell them it was not thine,
My husband,—I can bear the whole."
And, as she turned to him, the soul
Of love ineffable set smile
Upon her face. Her piteous guile,
Transparent, thrilled each heart and ear
That heard her pleading voice. A tear
Fell from the sternest Amazon,
Fierce Khoon Thow App, as in a tone
No mortal from her lips had heard
Before, she said, "O Boon, what stirred
Thy heart to this? Thy motive tell!"
The question all unanswered fell.
Boon lay again as if in death,
With closed eyes and gasping breath.

All night, low on the dark cell's floor,
Lay Boon and Choy; for Boon no more
Remained in life. When Choy crept near,
And humbly spoke, she answered, "Dear,
Farewell!"—no other word. Choy strove,—
Poor Choy! her feebler, lesser love.
Avenging on herself its sin,—
Strove from the greater love to win
Some healing stay. Too sweet to pain,
Too loyal and too true to feign,
Boon made but one reply, which fell
Fainter and fainter, "Dear, farewell!"