She had become a stranger suddenly,
Just as all men were strangers; then he knew
Why she must be an alien — even she!
Since there was nought her human love could do
To give him the last access to her soul.
Returning came his years as wholly vain —
Repeated payment of inutile toll
To reach a shrine he would not seek again.
It scarcely left him sad to find how wrong
Had been his vision of won womanhood —
This yearning ache that he had held so long
For a full mingling of their separate blood.
Freed, solitary now, with unscared eyes
He gazed anew at life safe from surprise!