EARTH BOUND

New paradise, and groom and bride;

The world was all their own;

Her heart swelled full of love and pride;

Yet were they quite alone?

‘ Now how is it, oh how is it, and why is it’ ( in fear

All silent to herself she spake )‘ that something strange seems here?’

Along the garden paths they walked -

The moon was at its height -

And lover-wise they strolled and talked,

But something was not right.

And‘ Who is that, now who is that, oh who is that,’ quoth she,

( All silent in her heart she spake )‘ that seems to follow me?’

He drew her closer to his side;

She felt his lingering kiss;

And yet a shadow seemed to glide

Between her heart and his.

And‘ What is that, now what is that, oh what is that,’ she said,

( All silent to herself she spake )‘ that minds me of the dead?’

They wandered back by beds of bloom;

They climbed a winding stair;

They crossed the threshold of their room,

But something waited there.

‘ Now who is this, and what is this, and where is this,’ she cried,

( All silent was the cry she made )‘ that comes to haunt and hide?’

Wide-eyed she lay, the while he slept;

She could not name her fear.

But something from her bedside crept

Just as the dawn drew near,

( She did not know, she could not know — how could she know?— who came

To haunt the home of one whose hand had dug her grave of shame ).