The Poetry Corner

Woman's Love

By Madison Julius Cawein

Sweet lies! the sweetest ever heard, To her he said: Her heart remembers every word Now he is dead. I ask:" If thus his lies can make Your young heart grieve for his false sake, Had he been true what had you done For true love's sake?" "Upon his grave there in the sun, Avoided now of all but one, I'd lay my heart with all its ache, And let it break, and let it break." And falsehood! fairer ne'er was seen Than he put on: Her heart recalls each look and mien Now he is gone. I ask: "If thus his treachery Can hold your heart with lie on lie, What had you done for manly love, Love without lie?" "There in the grass that grows above His grave, where all could know thereof, I'd lay me down without a sigh, And gladly die, and gladly die."