Page:Poems of Emma Lazarus vol 2.djvu/265

Rh Shame upon her, who first Treason and falsehood taught ! With grief and wrath accurst, Who set my brain distraught Shame, woman baleful-eyed. Whose fatal love entombed In shadows of thy pride My April ere it bloomed. It was thy voice, thy smile, Thy poisoned glances bright, Which taught me to revile The semblance of delight. Thy grace of girlish years Murdered my peace, my sleep. If I lose faith in tears, 'T is that I saw thee weep. I yielded to thy power A child*s simplicity. As to the dawn the flower. So oped my heart to thee. Doubtless this helpless heart Was thine without defence. Were 't not the better part To spare its innocence ? Shame ! thou who didst beget My earliest, youngest woe. The tears are streaming yet Which first thou madest flow.