Page:The Collected Poems of Dora Sigerson Shorter.djvu/251

232 And pleasure, leaping in the streets with sin, Caroused through many days till wearily She tired and met with death in bitter pain. “Alas! God help us if no God we gain.”

A few rose up and speaking, “O be strong,” Were answered, “There's no reason for your right,” But many crept in thankfulness for rest Into the river's darkness out of sight; And others with their limbs deformed, or sore Seared flesh, shrieked out their patient years of pain, Crying to Death for their lost plains of Heaven. “Alas! God help us if no God we gain.”