The Letter Written in the Attic

I bear a mark from your hand my Love,
  Set red between my brows,
And the mark is more lasting a mark my Love, 
  Than Love allows
More lasting a trace it leaves my Love 
  Than all our vows.

The mark of that gusty night my Love
  Scarcely a week ago,
When you came; mad with your passion my love
  And dealt the blow
Struck freely—how  could  I stop you—my  Love 
  Who loved you so!

For the lie was stirring your heart my Love,
  When you struck the blow at me.
The lie was hot in your brain my love 
  With jealousy
And I knew of the lie and the liar my love
  O, let you be.

And I thought I will try the love of my love,
  Whether her heart be true—
And the end of the trial came my love
  And Love's end too.
For the mark between my brows my love
  Cuts me from you.

For I have been shamed by a woman my love
  Struck down by a woman's blow,
Though my soul was sold for you my love
  Years past—you know—
I have too much pride of the body my Love
  To let this go.

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