The Poetical Works of Ernest Christopher Dowson Edited, with an introduction, by Desmond Flower |
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AGAINST MY LADY BURTON:
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 | The Poetical Works of Ernest Christopher Dowson |  |
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AGAINST MY LADY BURTON:
ON HER BURNING THE LAST WRITING OF HER DEAD HUSBAND
‘To save his soul’, whom narrowly she lovedShe did this deed of everlasting shame,
For devils' laughter; and was soulless proved
Heaping dishonour on her scholar's name.
Her lean distrust awoke when he was dead;
Dead, hardly cold; whose life was worn away
In scholarship's high service; from his head
She lightly tore his ultimate crown of bay.
His masterpiece, the ripe fruit of his age,
In art's despite she gave the hungry flame;
Smiled at the death of each laborious page,
Which she read only by the light of shame.
Dying he trusted her: him dead she paid
Most womanly, destroying his life's prize:
So Judas decently his Lord betrayed
With deep dishonour wrought in love's disguise.
With deep dishonour, for her jealous heart
His whole life's work, with light excuse put by
For love of him, or haply, hating art.
Oh Love be this, let us curse Love and die.
Nay! Love forgive: could such a craven thing
Love anywhere? but let her name pass down
Dishonoured through the ages, who did fling
To the rank scented mob a sage's crown,
And offered Fame, Love, Honour, mincingly
To her one God—sterile Propriety!
| The Poetical Works of Ernest Christopher Dowson | |