And Edith was henceforth out of reach!

Why, men do more to deserve a friend,

Be rid of a foe, get rich, grow wise,

Nor, folding their arms, stare fate in the face.

Why, better even have burst like a thief

And borne you away to a rock for us two,

In a moment's horror, bright, bloody and brief,

Then changed to myself again—"I slew

Myself in that moment; a ruffian lies

Somewhere: your slave, see, born in his place!"