Anthony Considine

Out in the wastes of the West countrie,

Out where the white stars shine,

Grim and silent as such men be,

Rideth a man with a history —

Anthony Considine.

For the ways of men they are manifold

As their differing views in life;

For some are sold for the lust of gold

And some for the lust of strife:

But this man counted the world well lost

For the love of his neighbour's wife.

They fled together, as those must flee

Whom all men hold in blame;

Each to the other must all things be

Who cross the gulf of iniquity

And live in the land of shame.

But a light-o’ - love, if she sins with one,

She sinneth with ninety-nine:

The rule holds good since the world begun —

Since ever the streams began to run

And the stars began to shine.

The rule holds true, and he found it true —

Anthony Considine.

A nobler spirit had turned in scorn

From a love that was stained with mire;

A weaker being might mourn and mourn

For the loss of his Heart's Desire:

But the anger of Anthony Considine

Blazed up like a flaming fire.

And she, with her new love, presently

Came past with her eyes ashine;

And God so willed it, and God knows why,

She turned and laughed as they passed him by —

Anthony Considine.

Her laughter stung as a whip might sting;

And mad with his wounded pride

He turned and sprang with a panther's spring

And struck at his rival's side:

And only the woman, shuddering,

Could tell how the dead man died!

She dared not speak — and the mystery

Is buried in auld lang syne,

But out on the wastes of the West countrie,

Grim and silent as such men be,

Rideth a man with a history —

Anthony Considine.