WHY JESUS WEPT 
15 
 
 
 
SCENE IV 
 
 
ANGELA, LADY BAIRD, regarding herself in a mirror. 
 
 
I thank you, M. Davenport !  This smile 
Is worth a husband.  Here, one touch of pink 
Completes a perfect picture — Are these eyes 
Dark eno’ to look love or sin, and large 
(O Atropine !) to beam forth innocence ? 
Innocence, a grim jest for sixty years ! 
Nay, sixty-three ; I lie not to myself ; 
Else one sins lying ; this is virtue mixed, 
A bubbling draught that soon lies still and flat ; 
While my great lust runs deep and dark, nor changes 
For all that time can do.  What of this boy ? 
I knew his father ; the man feared me well 
For all his open laugher ; would he were 
Alive !  I dream one torture writhed about 
His heart he’ll miss in hell.  I hated him. 
This boy of his I saw but yesterday 
Ride barehead by me like a madman would, 
Is strong and well-set — aye !  desirable. 
I would be better of his virgin lips : — 
She puts her lips against the mirror. 
(Nay, you are cold !  Like a dead man, perhaps !) 
I would get gladness of the royal force