The Heart asks Pleasure－first－1
And then－Excuse from Pain－
And then－those little Anodyness
That deaden suffering－
And then－to go to sleep－5
And then－if it should be
The will of its Inquisitor
The privilege to die－
And then－Excuse from Pain－
And then－those little Anodyness
That deaden suffering－
And then－to go to sleep－5
And then－if it should be
The will of its Inquisitor
The privilege to die－
(F.588/J.536)
[1] Heart, Pleasure first:: she has a wanton heart.
[2] Pain:: pain of childbirth (OED pain n.1 3b); she gets pregnant.
[3] little:: shameful, mean. Anodyness:: ways to relieve the pain.
[4] deaden suffering:: abortion.
[5] to go to sleep:: to let the child die.
[6] it:: the event of the pregnancy.
[7] Inquistor:: one who challenges the identity of the child's father.
[8] die:: to seclude oneself.