1/1/2017 GeorgeOrwell:Thelesserevil

George Orwell
The lesser evil
Emptyasdeathandslowaspain
Thedayswentbyonleadenfeet
Andparson'sweekhadcomeagain
AsIwalkeddownthelittlestreet.
Without,thewearydoveswerecalling,
Thesunburnedonthebanksofmud
Within,oldmaidswerecaterwauling
Adismaltaleofthornsandblood.
Ithoughtofallthechurchbellsringing
IntownsthatChristianfolkswerein
Iheardthegodlymaidenssinging
Iturnedintothehouseofsin.
Thehouseofsinwasdarkandmean,
Withdyingflowersroundthedoors
Theyspatthebeteljuicebetween
Therottenbambooofthefloors.
WhydidIcome,thewomancried
Soseldomtoherbedofease?
WhenIwasnot,herspiritdied
AndwouldIgivehertenrupees.
Theweekswentby,andmanyaday
Thatblackhairedwomandidimplore
MeasIhurriedonmyway
Tocomemoreoftenthanbefore.
Thedayswentbylikedeadleavesfalling,
Andparson'sweekcameroundagain.
Oncemoredevoutoldmaidswerebawling
Theiruglyrhymesofdeathandpain.
Thewomanwaitedformethere
AsdownthelittlestreetItrod,
Andmusingonheroilyhair,
IturnedintothehouseofGod.

1924

THEEND

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Author,Title:
GeorgeOrwell:Thelesserevil.
Firstpublished:
&bullNodata.1924..
Republished:
Therequestedfiledoesnotexist.
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Machinereadableversion:O.Dag

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