Part 5

“To-morrow I will walk your way,” He hinted low, alas for me.— Fieldwards I gazed throughout next day; Now fields I never more would see!

The sunset-shine, as curfew strook, As curfew strook beyond the lea, Lit his white smock and gleaming crook, While slowly he drew near to me.

He pulled from underneath his smock The herb I sought, my curse to be— “At times I use it in my flock,” He said, and hope waxed strong in me.

“’Tis meant to balk ill-motherings”— (Ill-motherings! Why should they be?)— “If not, would God have sent such things?” So spoke the shepherd unto me.

That night I watched the poppling brew, With bended back and hand on knee: I stirred it till the dawnlight grew, And the wind whiffled wailfully.

“This scandal shall be slain,” said I, “That lours upon her innocency: I’ll give all whispering tongues the lie;”— But worse than whispers was to be.

“Here’s physic for untimely fruit,” I said to her, alas for me, Early that morn in fond salute; And in my grave I now would be.

—Next Sunday came, with sweet church chimes In Pydel Vale, alas for me: I went into her room betimes; No more may such a Sunday be!

“Mother, instead of rescue nigh,” She faintly breathed, alas for me, “I feel as I were like to die, And underground soon, soon should be.”

From church that noon the people walked In twos and threes, alas for me, Showed their new raiment—smiled and talked, Though sackcloth-clad I longed to be.

Came to my door her lover’s friends, And cheerly cried, alas for me, “Right glad are we he makes amends, For never a sweeter bride can be.”

My mouth dried, as ’twere scorched within, Dried at their words, alas for me: More and more neighbours crowded in, (O why should mothers ever be!)

“Ha-ha! Such well-kept news!” laughed they, Yes—so they laughed, alas for me. “Whose banns were called in church to-day?”— Christ, how I wished my soul could flee!

“Where is she? O the stealthy miss,” Still bantered they, alas for me, “To keep a wedding close as this . . .” Ay, Fortune worked thus wantonly!

“But you are pale—you did not know?” They archly asked, alas for me, I stammered, “Yes—some days-ago,” While coffined clay I wished to be.

“’Twas done to please her, we surmise?” (They spoke quite lightly in their glee) “Done by him as a fond surprise?” I thought their words would madden me.

Her lover entered. “Where’s my bird?— My bird—my flower—my picotee? First time of asking, soon the third!” Ah, in my grave I well may be.

To me he whispered: “Since your call—” So spoke he then, alas for me— “I’ve felt for her, and righted all.” —I think of it to agony.

“She’s faint to-day—tired—nothing more—” Thus did I lie, alas for me . . . I called her at her chamber door As one who scarce had strength to be.

No voice replied. I went within— O women! scourged the worst are we . . . I shrieked. The others hastened in And saw the stroke there dealt on me.

There she lay—silent, breathless, dead, Stone dead she lay—wronged, sinless she!— Ghost-white the cheeks once rosy-red: Death had took her. Death took not me.

I kissed her colding face and hair, I kissed her corpse—the bride to be!— My punishment I cannot bear, But pray God not to pity me.

January 1904.

THE HOUSE OF HOSPITALITIES

HERE we broached the Christmas barrel, Pushed up the charred log-ends; Here we sang the Christmas carol, And called in friends.

Time has tired me since we met here When the folk now dead were young, Since the viands were outset here And quaint songs sung.

And the worm has bored the viol That used to lead the tune, Rust eaten out the dial That struck night’s noon.

Now no Christmas brings in neighbours, And the New Year comes unlit; Where we sang the mole now labours, And spiders knit.