Page:The torrent and The night before.djvu/33

 To die—of course; but after that, I wonder if I live again! And if I live again, for what?— To suffer? … Bah!—there is no pain But one; and that I know so well That I can shame the devil's eyes! … For twenty years I’ve heard in hell What Mona sings in Paradise!

Strange, that a little Northern girl Should love my brother Calderon, And set my brain so in a whirl That I was mad till she was gone! … I wonder if all men be such As I?—I wonder what love is!— I never loved her very much Until I saw that she was his;—

And then I knew that I was lost: And then—I knew that I was mad.— I reasoned what it all would cost, But that was nothing.—I was glad To feel myself so foul a thing!— And I was glad for Calderon. … My God! if he could hear her sing Just once, as I do!—There! she's done. …

No, it was only something wrong A minute—something in my head.— God, no!—she'll never stop that song As long as I'm alive or dead! As long as I am here or there, She'll sing to me, a murderer!— Well, I suppose the gods are fair. … I killed her … yes, I poisoned her!

But yon, Francisco,—you are young;— So take my hand and hear me, now:— There are no lies upon your tongue, There is no guilt upon your brow.— But there is blood upon your name?— And blood, you say, will rust the steel