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OWN the long quay the slow boats glide, While here and there a house looms white Against the gloom of the waterside, And some high window throws a light As they sail out into the night.

At dawn they will bring in again To women knitting on the quay Who wait for him, their man of men; I stand with them, and watch the sea Which may have taken mine from me.

Just so the long days come and go. The nights, ma Doué! the nights are cold! Our Lady's heart is as frozen snow, Since this one sin I have not told; And I shall die or perhaps grow old

Before he comes. The foreign ships Bring many a one of face and name As strange as his, to buy your lips, A gold piece for a scarlet shame Like mine. But mine was not the same.

One night was ours, one short grey day Of sudden sin, unshrived, untold. He found me, and I lost the way To Paradise for him. I sold My soul for love and not for gold.