Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BALLAD OF THE LADY IN HELL, by ANNETTE PATTON CORNELL First Line: The devil was bored with the whole affair Last Line: The angel and god and the lady wept. Subject(s): Sin | ||||||||
The Devil was bored with the whole affair. He yawned while he lolled in his judgment chair, Impatient with even the ones who swerved From God and themselves that his ends be served. Three fiends slammed the door of the draughty hall And all Hell gazed on a woman -- small -- Defiant -- though tortured -- with mouth still sweet With mortal caresses at Satan's feet. The Devil is fair, though he plays to win. "Just what," he inquired, "was the lady's sin?" The first fiend bent low, "She was one man's wife -- She loved two men dearly through half her life." The second fiend spoke, "Though she sewed straight seams And swept her floor clean -- still she dreamed her dreams." "She bore one man's children," the third fiend said, "She pledged him her soul -- but her soul is dead!" "Just what," said the Devil, "do you imply?" "We state," the three shouted, "she lived a lie! She gave one her body -- she shirked no task -- Her song was a shield and her smile a mask! Her dreams were a gossamer road that ran From year on to year to another man." The Devil smiled thinly, "From what you tell I judge that the lady has had her Hell." The gate against sinners was half ajar. The lady slipped by the celestial bar. An angel approached with a flaming sword -- "What boon dost thou ask of the kindly Lord?" The lady was weary and very sad. "I came though unbidden, for once I had The gift of all gifts and I could not pay In full -- I seek only to kneel and pray. I pray to forget him who came too late! I want to go back through the star chained gate -- To dream the old dreams that I cherished when I knew but one voice in the world of men. To see one man's face and to be soul free For Him would be Heaven enough for me." * * * While down on the earth two -- unheeding -- slept The angel and God and the lady wept. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SEVEN STREAMS OF NEVIS by GALWAY KINNELL CHANEL NO. 5 by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR BROTHERS: 4. IN MY OWN DEFENSE by LUCILLE CLIFTON THE RING AND THE CASTLE by AMY LOWELL APPELLATE JURISDICTION by MARIANNE MOORE DON JUAN ON HIS KNEES by ANNETTE PATTON CORNELL |
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