Page:The Collected Poems of Dora Sigerson Shorter.djvu/74

Rh “The woman is a witch,” I cried, “So cast her off from you”; “She'll be my wife to-day,” he said, “Be careful what you do!”

“The woman is a witch,” I said; He laughed both loud and long: She laid her arms about his neck, Her laugh was like a song.

“The woman is a witch,” he mocked, And laughed both long and loud; She bent her head upon his breast, Her hair was like a cloud.

I said, “See blood upon her mouth And on each finger-tip!” He said, “I see a pretty maid, A rose upon her lip.”

He took her slender hand in his To kiss the stain away— Oh, well she cast her spell on him, What could I do but pray?

“May Heaven guard your house to-night!” I whisper as I go, “For you have won a witch for bride. And married for your woe.”