2 MAY 1952, Page 7

The Difference

Born are for different men's hurt The merry and the soulful flirt.

Neither can bring herself to spurn, Even gently, love she can't return.

The merry wounds lightly enough, The face forgotten in a puff

That charmed a month or two—but then

She captivates more boys than men.

The soulful belle dame sans merci, Wounds deeper far and deadlier ; she, Unspent her chastity's vain gold, May unwedded die and old- Unwedded or ill-wedded, sad For lack of what she might have had— While, if the man be coward slave, Her face goes with him to the grave.

ARUNDELL ESDAILE.