THE MAN WITH A PAST

There was merry-making

When the first dart fell

As a heralding, -

Till grinned the fully bared thing,

And froze like a spell -

Like a spell.

Innocent was she,

Innocent was I,

Too simple we!

Before us we did not see,

Nearing, aught wry -

Aught wry!

I can tell it not now,

It was long ago;

And such things cow;

But that is why and how

Two lives were so -

Were so.

Yes, the years matured,

And the blows were three

That time ensured

On her, which she dumbly endured;

And one on me -

One on me.