'Pourquoi,' she breathed, then drooped her head,
(Pure snow-drifts to the sunset wed)
As all my weakness I confessed.
I shewed how I had done my best,
Though long ago I should have fled,
Knowing all hope, for me, was dead;
And now my heart would die, unfed.
She murmured low, (was it in jest?)
'Pourquoi?'

That winsome face, all rosy red,--
I turned towards me,--gone was dread!
She came as birdlings to their nest
At eventide; so was I blest
By that one precious, softly-said
'Pourquoi?'