And yet no neighbour charges them with guilt.

Accusers, sternest, themselves keep, within;

“Guilty,” they plead; unpardonable sin.

If a joy, ’tis but to avow their shame;

The story’s essence always is the same:

“Fool I! So wholly hateful did it seem—

Torture to my eyes—slant of a sun beam;

Needs shut it out forthwith—so simply how,

As by sending soul, body straight below?”—

Next moment!