Poems (Millay)/The Penitent
The Penitent
I had a little Sorrow,Born of a little Sin,I found a room all damp with gloom And shut us all within;And, "Little Sorrow, weep," said I,"And, Little Sin, pray God to die,And I upon the floor will lie And think how bad I've been!"
Alas for pious planning— It mattered not a whit!As far as gloom went in that room, The lamp might have been lit!My Little Sorrow would not weep,My Little Sin would go to sleep—To save my soul I could not keep My graceless mind on it!
So up I got in anger, And took a book I had,And put a ribbon on my hair To please a passing lad.And, "One thing there's no getting by—I've been a wicked girl," said I;"But if I can't be sorry, why, I might as well be glad!"