Joaquin Miller's Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

“Aye, so you will it. Here divide
The ways, forever and a day.
You, you—you women lead the way—
You lead where love hangs crucified,
Where love is laid prone in the dust—
Where cunning, cold men mouth sweet lies
And make pure love their merchandise.
You heedless lead to hollow lands
Of bloodless hearts and nerveless hands;
I will not rival such, nay, nay
Not look on such, save with disgust.”