How bleak the path would be when once its glow
Was wholly gone.
And yet we two were forced to follow on -
Leagues, leagues apart while ever side by side.
Darker and darker grew the loveless weather,
Darker the way,
Until we could not stay
Longer together.
Now that all anger from our hearts has died,
And love has flown far from its ruined nest,
To find sweet shelter in another breast,
Let us talk calmly of our past mistakes,
And of our faults; if only for the sakes
Of those with whom our futures will be cast.
You shall speak first.

SHE

A woman would speak last -
Tell me my first grave error as a wife.

HE

Inertia. My young veins were rife
With manhood's ardent blood; and love was fire
Within me. But you met my strong desire
With lips like frozen rose leaves--chaste, so chaste
That all your splendid beauty seemed but waste
Of love's materials. Then of that beauty
Which had so pleased my sight