«Songs of the Road» (1911). 20. A Woman’s Love

I am not blind - I understand;
I see him loyal, good, and wise,
I feel decision in his hand,
I read his honour in his eyes.
Manliest among men is he
With every gift and grace to clothe him;
He never loved a girl but me -
And I - I loathe him! - loathe him!

The other! Ah! I value him
Precisely at his proper rate,
A creature of caprice and whim,
Unstable, weak, importunate.
His thoughts are set on paltry gain -
You only tell me what I see -
I know him selfish, cold and vain;
But, oh! he's all the world to me!