New paradise, and groom and bride;
The world was all their own;
Her heart swelled full of love and pride;
Yet were they quite alone?
‘ Now how is it, oh how is it, and why is it’ ( in fear
All silent to herself she spake )‘ that something strange seems here?’
Along the garden paths they walked -
The moon was at its height -
And lover-wise they strolled and talked,
But something was not right.
And‘ Who is that, now who is that, oh who is that,’ quoth she,
( All silent in her heart she spake )‘ that seems to follow me?’
He drew her closer to his side;
She felt his lingering kiss;
And yet a shadow seemed to glide
Between her heart and his.
And‘ What is that, now what is that, oh what is that,’ she said,
( All silent to herself she spake )‘ that minds me of the dead?’
They wandered back by beds of bloom;
They climbed a winding stair;
They crossed the threshold of their room,
But something waited there.
‘ Now who is this, and what is this, and where is this,’ she cried,
( All silent was the cry she made )‘ that comes to haunt and hide?’
Wide-eyed she lay, the while he slept;
She could not name her fear.
But something from her bedside crept
Just as the dawn drew near,
( She did not know, she could not know — how could she know?— who came
To haunt the home of one whose hand had dug her grave of shame ).