The Mother’s Tragedy

6 THE MOTHER’S TRAGEDY CORA remains thinking. I was no bolder twenty years ago! Time, Time, thou maker and destroyer both, Only in resurrection hast no part! | Broods. SPIRIT OF TRAGEDY. How light and how agreeable, Paved pathway to the gate of hell! See how all virtues, graces, shine, Till woman half appears divine! But I am waiting, watching still The treason of the powers of ill. Soft, moveless, as a tigress glides, Strange laughing devilry abides Its hour to poison. How they gloat, The fiends, upon her lips and throat! They touch her heart, they speer her eyes, They linger on the lovely prize! O dead she thought them! It is written: ‘‘ Eve’s heel is by the serpent bitten, His head she bruises.” No indeed! Not woman, but the woman’s seed! Hark! in the cloak of “ Love of Truth” They whisper “ Memory of Youth”; And, mindful of the deadliest sin, Hint: ‘“ Sinful woman, look within!” CORA. Ah me! if she could look within a glass With spells and pantacles well fortified!