Had Frank but bowed ashamed, his head in palms,
Elbows on knees, with eyes upon her rug,
And begged of Lady Monitress the alms
She, with a smile and shrug,

And deft arm on the pillowy divan,
Was tremulous with pleasure to bestow—
The alms of counsel to a sinful man,
The alms of eyes aglow

With gracious faith and bright assurances,
After his manhood's slip had got him down
(Since perilous to live from God it is
In any godly town)—

They still had been good neighbors, still exchanging
Roses for larkspur over the lilac hedge;
Her bow-legged spouse had still with him been ranging
For cress the water's edge …

She hates him … not because his rebel heart
Brought noise to town and bruise to him and blame:
He spoilt the cue; he balked her darling part …
Still standing up, though lame.