Religion

Betrayed

by Benjamin Copeland 1855–1940

From Niagara, and Other Poems (1904)

Religion

Deceived, deflowered, despoiled!
O drooping lily, late with light aglow!
Around thy root is coiled
The hidden horror of a nameless woe.

Deceived, defiled, despoiled!
Is there no healing for a broken heart?
O God! hadst Thou but foiled
The fatal spell of the betrayer’s art.

Deceived, despised, despoiled!
The blight has fallen on thy peerless bloom;
To bless thy bridal eager ages toiled;—
A moment’s glamour leaves thee endless gloom.

MLA

Copeland, Benjamin. “Betrayed.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/copeland/22/.

Chicago

Copeland, Benjamin. “Betrayed.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/copeland/22/.

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