Page:An epic of women and other poems (IA epicofwomenother00osha).pdf/201

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O that whisper my heart seemed to understand!
  O that spell it took hold on right willing feet!
To that beautiful spirit I gave my hand,
  And he led me that day up the village street,
And out through the fields and the fragrant land,
  And on through the pathways sweet;
Yea, still on, with a semblance of some new bliss,
Through the world he has led me from that day to this
  With a tender and fair deceit.

"O for what have you wandered so far—so long?"
  Said the voice that was e'en as my voice of old:
"O for what have you done to the Past such wrong?
  Was there no fair dream on your own threshold?
In your childhood's home was there no fresh song?
  —Was your heart then all so cold?
  Why, at length, are you weary and lone and sad,
But for casting away all the good that you had
  With the peace that was yours of old?