| |
| I ’D been away from her three years,—about that, | |
| And I returned to find my Mary true; | |
| And though I ’d question her, I did not doubt that | |
| It was unnecessary so to do. | |
| |
| ’T was by the chimney-corner we were sitting: | 5 |
| “Mary,” said I, “have you been always true?” | |
| “Frankly,” says she, just pausing in her knitting, | |
| “I don’t think I ’ve unfaithful been to you: | |
| But for the three years past I ’ll tell you what | |
| I ’ve done; then say if I ’ve been true or not. | 10 |
| |
| “When first you left my grief was uncontrollable; | |
| Alone I mourned my miserable lot; | |
| And all who saw me thought me inconsolable, | |
| Till Captain Clifford came from Aldershot. | |
| To flirt with him amused me while ’t was new: | 15 |
| I don’t count that unfaithfulness—do you? | |
| |
| “The next—oh! let me see—was Frankie Phipps; | |
| I met him at my uncle’s, Christmas-tide, | |
| And ’neath the mistletoe, where lips meet lips, | |
| He gave me his first kiss—” And here she sighed. | 20 |
| “We stayed six weeks at uncle’s—how time flew! | |
| I don’t count that unfaithfulness—do you? | |
| |
| “Lord Cecil Fossmore—only twenty-one— | |
| Lent me his horse. O, how we rode and raced! | |
| We scoured the downs—we rode to hounds—such fun! | 25 |
| And often was his arm about my waist,— | |
| That was to lift me up and down. But who | |
| Would call just that unfaithfulness? Would you? | |
| |
| “Do you know Reggy Vere? Ah, how he sings! | |
| We met,—’t was at a picnic. O such weather! | 30 |
| He gave me, look, the first of these two rings | |
| When we were lost in Cliefden woods together. | |
| Ah, what a happy time we spent,—we two! | |
| I don’t count that unfaithfulness to you. | |
| |
| “I ’ve yet another ring from him; d’ye see | 35 |
| The plain gold circlet that is shining here?” | |
| I took her hand: “O Mary! can it be | |
| That you—” Quoth she, “that I am Mrs. Vere. | |
| I don’t call that unfaithfulness—do you?” | |
| “No,” I replied, “for I am married too.” | 40 |
| |
