THE JEALOUS GODS

‘ Oh life is wonderful,’ she said,

‘ And all my world is bright;

Can Paradise show fairer skies,

Or more effulgent light?’

( Speak lower, lower, mortal heart,

The jealous gods may hear. )

She turned for answer; but his gaze

Cut past her like a lance,

And shone like flame on one who came

With radiant glance for glance.

( You spoke too loud, O mortal heart,

The jealous gods were near. )

They walked through green and sunlit ways;

And yet the earth seemed black,

For there were three, where two should be;

So runs the world, alack.

( The listening gods, the jealous gods,

They want no Edens here. )