.

Thou knowest it is not the _man_ I want.

In all the long years since he played traitor to his troth to me, I have not wanted the man.

The woman he wed may have him, unbegrudged by me.
I do not envy her the encircling of his arms, though time was when I felt them strong and tender.

I do not want the man, but--O, sweet Mother of God--I want the man's little child! I envy her the motherhood which, but for her, would have been mine.