944326Some One Else — illustrations by Howard PyleWilliam Dean Howells

SOME ONE ELSE

L

IVE my life over? I would rather not.
Though I could choose, perhaps, a fairer lot,
I cannot hope I should be worthier it,
Or wiser by experience any whit.
Being what I am, I should but do once more
The things that brought me grief and shame before.
But I should really fancy trying again
For some one else who had lived once in vain:
Somehow another's erring life allures;
And were I you, I might improve on yours.