There was a man, it was said one time, <br />Who went astray in his youthful prime. <br />Can the brain keep cool and the heart keep quiet <br />When the blood is a river that’s running riot? <br />And boys will be boys the old folks say, <br />And the man is better who’s had his day. <br /> <br />The sinner reformed; and the preacher told <br />Of the prodigal son who came back to the fold. <br />And Christian people threw open the door, <br />With a warmer welcome than ever before. <br />Wealth and honour were his to command, <br />And a spotless woman gave him her hand. <br /> <br />And the world strewed their pathway with blossoms aboom, <br />Crying ‘God bless ladye, and God bless groom! ’ <br /> <br />There was a maiden who went astray <br />In the golden dawn of her life’s young day. <br />She had more passion and heart than head, <br />And she followed blindly where fond Love led, <br />And Love unchecked is a dangerous guide <br />To wander at will by a fair girl’s side. <br /> <br />The woman repented and turned from sin, <br />But no door opened to let her in. <br />The preacher prayed that she might be forgiven, <br />But told her to look for mercy – in Heaven. <br /> <br />For this is the law of the earth, we know: <br />That the woman is stoned, while the man may go. <br /> <br />A brave man weddded her after all, <br />But the world said, frowning, ‘We shall not call.’<br /><br />Ella Wheeler Wilcox<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/two-sinners/
