BALLAD OF A WILFUL WOMAN

UPON her plodding palfrey

With a heavy child at her breast

And Joseph holding the bridle

They mount to the last hill-crest.

Dissatisfied and weary

She sees the blade of the sea

Dividing earth and heaven

In a glitter of ecstasy.

Sudden a dark-faced stranger

With his back to the sun, holds out

His arms; so she lights from her palfrey

And turns her round about.

She has given the child to Joseph,

Gone down to the flashing shore;

And Joseph, shading his eyes with his hand,

Stands watching evermore.