He came to me—he brought to me a slighted heart for keeping;
He would not see my angry frown; he sought me, day by day;
I flung at him hot words of scorn, I turned my face away.
I bade him dread my husband's rage when once his words were known:
He smiled at me, and said I had no husband of my own!
O Rob, his words were overtrue! they burned into my brain!
I could not rub them out again, were I awake or sleeping!
I saw you kiss her twice and thrice—my chidings were in vain—
And well I knew your wayward heart had wandered from my keeping.
I counted all that was at stake—I bribed my pride with duty;