Bad Dreams IV

It happened thus: my slab, though new,     Was getting weather-stained, beside,     Herbage, balm, peppermint, oergrew     Letter and letter: till you tried     Somewhat, the Name was scarce descried.     That strong stern man my lover came:     Was he my lover? Call him, pray,     My lifes cold critic bent on blame     Of all poor I could do or say     To make me worth his love one day,     One far day when, by diligent     And dutiful amending faults,     Foibles, all weaknesses which went     To challenge and excuse assaults     Of culture wronged by taste that halts,     Discrepancies should mar no plan     Symmetric of the qualities     Claiming respect from, say, a man     Thats strong and stem. Once more he pries     Into me with those critic eyes!     No question! so, Conclude, condemn     Each failure my poor self avows!     Leave to its fate all you contemn!     Theres Solomons selected spouse:     Earth needs must hold such maids, choose them!     Why, he was weeping! Surely gone     Sternness and strength: with eyes to ground     And voice a broken monotone,     Only be as you were! Abound     In foibles, faults, laugh, robed and crowned     As Follys veriest queen, care I     One feather-fluff? Look pity, Love,     On prostrate me, your foot shall try     This foreheads use, mount thence above,     And reach what Heaven you dignify!     Now, what could bring such change about?     The thought perplexed: till, following     His gaze upon the ground, why, out     Came all the secret! So, a thing     Thus simple has deposed my king!     For, spite of weeds that strove to spoil     Plain reading on the lettered slab,     My name was clear enough, no soil     Effaced the date when one chance stab     Of scorn . . . if only ghosts might blab!