Page:The Statues in the Block and Other Poems (1881).djvu/31

Rh Silk-clad, bejewelled, lapped with luxury, And beautiful and young—ay, smiling at the lips, But never in the eyes from inner light: A gracious temple hung with flowers without— Within, a naked corpse upon the stones!

O, years and years ago the hunger came— The desert-thirst for love—she prayed for love— She cried out in the night-time of her soul for love! The cup they gave was poison whipped to froth. For years she drank it, knowing it for death; She shrieked in soul against it, but must drink: The skies were dumb—she dared not swoon or scream. As Indian mothers see babes die for food, She watched dry-eyed beside her starving heart, And only sobbed in secret for its gasps, And only raved one wild hour when it died!

O Pain, have pity! Numb her quivering sense; O Fame, bring guerdon! Thrice a thousand years