THE NAULAHKA

There was a strife 'twixt man and maid —
Oh, that was at the birth of time!
But what befell 'twixt man and maid,
Oh, that's beyond the grip of rhyme.
'Twas, " Sweet, I must not bide with you, "
And, " Love, I cannot bide alone " ;
For both were young and both were true,
And both were hard as the nether stone.