Not character, not fortitude, not patience br Were mine, the which the village thought I had br In bearing with my wife, while preaching on, br Doing the work God chose for me. br I loathed her as a termagant, as a wanton. br I knew of her adulteries, every one. br But even so, if I divorced the woman br I must forsake the ministry. br Therefore to do God's work and have it crop, br I bore with her! br So lied I to myself! br So lied I to Spoon River! br Yet I tried lecturing, ran for the legislature, br Canvassed for books, with just the thought in mind: br If I make money thus, I will divorce her.