The victory for restraint, alas,
Increased his fervent longing
A thousandfold—it would not pass,
Regret’s demons come thronging.
Come thronging! Had he pressed the issue
The matter had been settled;
Though he might dry his eye with tissue,
His heart must languish nettled.
Lord, throwing caution to the wind,
If I likewise had pressed it,
My suit (albeit men say I sinned)
Would squarely have addressed it.
Now furtively I nurse regret—
My brother, likewise I,
Learned hesitations but beget
Loss of tranquility.