Page:The Collected Poems of Dora Sigerson Shorter.djvu/184

Loosed from her hand, the spaniel sank,
Then scrambled whining to the bank,
And did refuse to drown.
He shook his silken coat of spray,
Then, all forgiving, leaped to play—
She chid him with a frown.

“Ungrateful beast!” she sore did cry,
“Since all alone I now must die.
And leave thee lost behind,
Go seek a lady to whose heart
Has come no pang of Cupid's dart.
To be a mistress kind.

“Nor find the lover for a friend
Who brought to this most cruel end
A maid who held him true.
Begone! Nor add another tear,
For this poor heart that held thee dear;
Thou art most faithless too!”

Then Chloe to the gloomy skies
Did turn her blue and tear-dimmed eyes,
In passion and despair.
“If there were one who loved me well,
And who for me, what else befell.
Would greatly do and dare;

“Who with no selfish passions rife,
Would hold me dearer than his life,
Without a hope of gain:
Then kindly heavens intercede,
And send, to stay a cruel deed.
This most unselfish swain.”

There came from out the gloomy skies
No answer to her doleful cries,
Fool was she so to dream.