{I
Where are you? Who am 1? Owhoam I?
Why do I lie and let you? I was strong —
I was so strong I might have bid you die
With one swift arrow from my quiver, song.
Now you are over me; you hold me here;
You grip my flesh till bleeding bruises start;
You threaten me with — can I name the fear ?
IT always knew you never had a heart.
God! whoamI1? My Lola, speak tome!
Tell me you love me; tell me — Lam dazed
With something terrible and strange I see
Even in the mouth that kissed, the lips that praised.
You leer above me like a brooding fiend
Waiting to leap upon a babe unweaned.
— 102
—
{Il
Kiss me at least! We always were good friends —
Kiss me for old times’ sake — Kiss me just once!
I know this ends — as every sweet thing ends!
But — say you are not angry! Ere you pounce,
Forgive me! You could make me glad to die,
I think, if you would only kill me kindly.
Just one swift razor-stroke — cut low! — and I
Would pass the portal happily and blindly,
Yes! I would like to think the fountain sprang
Straight from my throat and slaked your aching thirst,
Shot to your hot red heart one red hot pang,
Then left you cool and smiling as at first.
I give you freely my heart's agony.
But oh! oh! speak to me! do speak to me!