Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TWO WOMEN, by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TWO WOMEN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The shadows lay along broadway
Last Line: By man is cursed alway!
Variant Title(s): Unseen Spirits;broadway
Subject(s): Adversity; Broadway, New York City; New York City - 19th Century


The shadows lay along Broadway,
'T was near the twilight-tide,
And slowly there a lady fair
Was walking in her pride.
Alone walked she; but viewlessly,
Walked spirits at her side.
Peace charmed the street beneath her feet,
And Honor charmed the air;
And all astir looked kind on her,
And called her good as fair, --
For all God ever gave to her
She kept with chary care.
She kept with care her beauties rare
From lovers warm and true,
For her heart was cold to all but gold,
And the rich came not to woo, --
But honored well are charms to sell
If priests the selling do.
Now walking there was one more fair, --
A slight girl, lily-pale;
And she had unseen company
To make th spirit quail, --
'Twixt Want and Scorn she walked forlorn,
And nothing could avail.
No mercy now can clear her brow
For this world's peace to pray;
For, as love's wild prayer dissolved in air,
Her woman's heart gave way! --
But the sin forgiven by Christ in heaven
By man is cursed alway!




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