The Woman Speaks

Why have you come? to see me in my shame? A thing to spit on, to despise and scorn? And then to ask me! You, by whom was torn And then cast by, like some vile rag, my name! What shelter could you give me, now, that blame And loathing would not share? that wolves of vice Would not besiege with eyes of glaring ice? Wherein Sin sat not with her face of flame? 'You love me'? God! If yours be love, for lust Hell must invent another synonym! If yours be love, then hatred is the way To Heaven and God! and not with soul but dust Must burn the faces of the Cherubim, O lie of lies, if yours be love, I say!