Once in life I watched a Star; <br />But I whistled, "Let her go! <br />There are others, fairer far, <br />Which my favouring skies shall show <br />Here I lied, and herein I <br />Stood to pay the penalty. <br /> <br />Marvellous the Planets shone <br />As I ranged from coast to coast-- <br />But beyond comparison <br />Rode the Star that I had lost. <br />I had lied, and only I <br />Did not guess the penalty! . . . <br /> <br />When my Heavens were turned to blood, <br />When the dark had filled my day, <br />Furthest, but most faithful, stood <br />That lone Star I cast away. <br />I had loved myself, and I <br />Have not lived and dare not die!<br /><br />Rudyard Kipling<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-penalty/
