Classic Poem

" Now who shall say he loves me not. "

HE wooed her first in an atmosphere
Of tender and low-breathed sighs;
But the pang of her laugh went cutting clear
To the soul of the enterprise;
" You beg so pert for the kiss you seek
It reminds me, John, " she said,
" Of a poodle pet that jumps to " speak"
For a crumb or a crust of bread. "

And flashing up, with the blush that flushed
His face like a tableau-light,
Came a bitter threat that his white lips hushed
To a chill, hoarse-voiced " Good night! "
And again her laugh, like a knell that tolled,
And a wide-eyed mock surprise, —
" Why, John, " she said, " you have taken cold
In the chill air of your sighs! "

And then he turned, and with teeth tight-clenched,
He told her he hated her, —
That his love for her from his heart he wrenched
Like a corpse from a sepulcher.
And then she called him " a ghoul all red
With the quintessence of crimes " —
" But I know you love me now, " she said,
And kissed him a hundred times.