A WOMAN'S LAST WORD°
Reading edition
A WOMAN'S LAST WORD°
Let's contend no more, Love, Strive nor weep: All be as before, Love, —Only sleep! What so wild as words are? I and thou In debate, as birds are, Hawk on bough! See the creature stalking 10 While we speak! Hush and hide the talking, Cheek on cheek. What so false as truth is, False to thee? Where the serpent's tooth is, Shun the tree— Where the apple reddens, Never pry— Lest we lose our Edens, 20 Eve and I. Be a god and hold me [page 54] With a charm! Be a man and fold me With thine arm! Teach me, only teach, Love! As I ought I will speak thy speech, Love, Think thy thought— Meet, if thou require it, 30 Both demands, Laying flesh and spirit In thy hands. That shall be to-morrow, Not to-night: I must bury sorrow Out of sight: —Must a little weep, Love, (Foolish me!) And so fall asleep, Love, 40 Loved by thee.
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