Edgar Lee Masters (1868–1950). Spoon River Anthology. 1916.

113. Amos Sibley

NOT character, not fortitude, not patience

Were mine, the which the village thought I had

In bearing with my wife, while preaching on,

Doing the work God chose for me.

I loathed her as a termagant, as a wanton.

I knew of her adulteries, every one.

But even so, if I divorced the woman

I must forsake the ministry.

Therefore to do God’s work and have it crop,

I bore with her!

So lied I to myself!

So lied I to Spoon River!

Yet I tried lecturing, ran for the legislature,

Canvassed for books, with just the thought in mind:

If I make money thus, I will divorce her.