At the head of a lie—taught Original Sin,

The Corruption of Man's Heart.

THE WORST OF IT

Would it were I had been false, not you!

I that am nothing, not you that are all:

I, never the worse for a touch or two

On my speckled hide; not you, the pride

Of the day, my swan, that a first fleck's fall

On her wonder of white must unswan, undo!

I had dipped in life's struggle and, out again,