Poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Penalty

Because of the fullness of what I had, 
All that I have seems poor and vain. 
If I had not been happy, I were not sad-- 
Tho’ my salt is savorless, why complain?

From the ripe perfection of what was mine, 
All that is mine seems worse than naught; 
Yet I know, as I sit in the dark and pine, 
No cup can be drained which has not been fraught.

From the throb and the thrill of a day that was, 
The day that now is seems dull with gloom; 
Yet I bear the dullness and darkness, because 
’Tis but the reaction of glow and bloom.

From the royal feast that of old was spread 
I am starved on the diet that now is mine; 
Yet, I could not turn hungry from water and bread 
If I had not been sated on fruit and wine.

1. At the Boro Boedoer
2. St. Dunstan's
3. Sonnets of Sorrow. 18. The wise ones tell me that my heart's wild clamour
4. Applause
5. At Eleusis

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