THE COQUETTE, AND AFTER

For long the cruel wish I knew

That your free heart should ache for me

While mine should bear no ache for you;

For, long — the cruel wish!— I knew

How men can feel, and craved to view

My triumph — fated not to be

For long!... The cruel wish I knew

That your free heart should ache for me!

At last one pays the penalty -

The woman — women always do.

My farce, I found, was tragedy

At last!— One pays the penalty

With interest when one, fancy-free,

Learns love, learns shame... Of sinners two

At last ONE pays the penalty -

The woman — women always do!