Poems (Rowe)/The Betrayer
THE BETRAYER
YOU found me pure, and innocent, and fair;
In years a child, and with no thought of care.
God-fearing, trusting; with a heart of praise
For all the joyousness of Youth's bright days.
In years a child, and with no thought of care.
God-fearing, trusting; with a heart of praise
For all the joyousness of Youth's bright days.
And then you came; with subtle art did fire
My young imaginings with Love's desire.
You taught me Passion's all compelling will
Lifers Morning with enchanting dreams to fill.
My young imaginings with Love's desire.
You taught me Passion's all compelling will
Lifers Morning with enchanting dreams to fill.
And then you left me: ruined; desperate,
Oh! double-dyed Betrayer! to my fate.
What am I now? A thing so vile, and mean,
No blood of holy Saint could wash me clean.
Oh! double-dyed Betrayer! to my fate.
What am I now? A thing so vile, and mean,
No blood of holy Saint could wash me clean.
Could I with Curses damn your feeble Soul,
I'd willingly lose mine, and deem the whole
Of God's Eternity poor price to pay
For power to wreak His Vengeance, and repay.
I'd willingly lose mine, and deem the whole
Of God's Eternity poor price to pay
For power to wreak His Vengeance, and repay.