Explore "The Coquette, and after (Triolets)" by Thomas Hardy on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
I. FOR long the cruel wish I knew / That your free heart should ache for me / While mine should bear no ache for you; / For, long-the cruel wish! -I knew / How men can feel, and craved to view / My triumph-fated not to be / For long!... The cruel wish I knew / That your free heart should ache for me!
II. At last one pays the penalty- / The woman-women always do. / My farce, I found, was tragedy / At last! -One pays the penalty / With interest when one, fancy-free, / Learns love, learns shame... Of sinners two / At last _one_ pays the penalty- / The woman-women always do!