And did as people do in books.

From out her cloak she fetched the drug––

“Thy health, my love, in Heaven or Hell!”

Deep to the dregs she drained the mug

And dropped it, feeling far from well.

Upon the punctual stroke her fond

True lover kept the oath he swore;

Plunged softly in the village pond,

But feeling chilly swam ashore.

Next morning in the judgment-place

Two pallid prisoners were tried;

Their guilt was plain; it was a case

Of ineffective suicide.

Yestreen a member of the Force

Had found a woman deadly sick,

Lamenting, with sincere remorse,

An overdose of arsenic.

35

35

Another heard upon his beat

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