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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TWO LIVES. PART 2: 15 by WILLIAM ELLERY LEONARD

First Line: SHE WOULD PLEASE TWO - TWO FATAL OPPOSITES
Last Line: EVER AND EVER SHE COMES AND TELLS TO ME.

She would please two -- two fatal opposites:
Husband and sire, young manhood and old age,
Who had, besides, their fatal heritage --
Distrust and aims diverse. Now there he sits
(His ledger in his lap): "Pray, use your wits;
You think too anxiously about him; go
Play with your sister's baby, daughter -- so
Leave him to mumble in his moping fits."
(This, as she pleaded for my happiness,
In house of torment and distraction.) There,
O there he sits (his ledger on his knee);
And talks good doctrine how to break or bless
A wildered husband, -- which in her despair
Ever and ever she comes and tells to me.



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