Page:Fiddler's Farewell.djvu/21

Trusting the sauce was tuned to the meat,
The wine well cooled and the pudding sweet;

Pausing, but passing—
Pausing, but passing— Stay, Heart of mine,
What of the guests? For I divine
Their looks were grand and their manners fine.

X

A goodly company, I'll admit,
And some had beauty and some had wit—

And some you loved?
And some you loved? Well, what of it?

And some loved you!
And some loved you! Perhaps, perhaps,
With linen napkins in their laps,

With cups that foamed and piled-up plates;
They loved me with a hundred hates!

They hated in such lovely ways,
With laughter, singing, kisses, praise—

How could I know? How could I know?
Hungry Heart, Hungry Heart, cry not so!

XI

And as I lingered watching them,
I felt a tugging at my hem;

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