Page:The complete poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar.pdf/69


 * And I couldn't resist," she answering said;
 * "But love still grows in the hearts of men:
 * Go forth, dear youth, and love again."

But he turned him away from her proffered grace.
 * "Thou art false, O moon, as the hearts of men,
 * I will not, will not love again,"

And he turned sheer 'round with a soul-sick face
 * To the sea, and cried: "Sea, curse the moon,
 * Who makes her vows and forgets so soon."
 * And the awful sea with anger stirred,
 * And his breast heaved hard as he lay and heard,

And ever the moon wept down in rain,
 * And ever her sighs rose high in wind;
 * But the earth and sea were deaf and blind,

And she wept and sighed her griefs in vain.
 * And ever at night, when the storm is fierce,
 * The cries of a wraith through the thunder pierce;
 * And the waves strain their awful hands on high
 * To tear the false moon from the sky.

"," I said to my conscience—
 * "Good-bye for aye and aye,"

And I put her hands off harshly,
 * And turned my face away;

And conscience smitten sorely
 * Returned not from that day,

But a time came when my spirit
 * Grew weary of its pace;

And I cried: "Come back, my conscience;
 * I long to see thy face,"

But conscience cried; "I cannot;
 * Remorse sits in my place."

, yes, 't is sweet still to remember,
 * Though 't were less painful to forget;

For while my heart glows like an ember,
 * Mine eyes with sorrow's drops are wet,
 * And, oh, my heart is aching yet.

It is a law of mortal pain