A Test

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Title:     A Test
Author: James Whitcomb Riley [More Titles by Riley]

'Twas a test I designed, in a quiet conceit
Of myself, and the thoroughly fixed and complete
Satisfaction I felt in the utter control
Of the guileless young heart of the girl of my soul.

So--we parted. I said it were better we should--
That she could forget me--I knew that she could;
For I never was worthy so tender a heart,
And so for her sake it were better to part.

She averted her gaze, and she sighed and looked sad
As I held out my hand--for the ring that she had--
With the bitterer speech that I hoped she might be
Resigned to look up and be happy with me.

'Twas a test, as I said--but God pity your grief,
At a moment like this when a smile of relief
Shall leap to the lips of the woman you prize,
And no mist of distress in her glorious eyes.

[The end]
James Whitcomb Riley's poem: Test

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