Poetry · Chapter
Her First Sorrow explained
A woman reflects on the betrayal of a lover who swore to share her sorrow and joy but left to deceive another, leaving her to question why she should mourn or care.
What happens
A woman reflects on the betrayal of a lover who swore to share her sorrow and joy but left to deceive another, leaving her to question why she should mourn or care.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because the disciple reaches an emotional and psychological peak of agonizing self…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Love and Loss
The poem explores the pain of a broken promise and the loss of a lover who has moved on to deceive another.
- Suffering and Resilience
The speaker endures betrayal and questions her own grief, ultimately showing resilience by refusing to care.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The speaker, a woman betrayed by her lover, expressing sorrow and defiance.
Key passages
“’T is but a score of hours when he didst swear My sorrow and my joy to share, Despite the fates, fore’er; But now he’s gone to cash again his lie; Others his shame with me will wear, Why should I die?”
Only twenty hours ago he swore to share my sorrow and joy forever, but now he has left to repeat his deceit; others will share his shame with me, so why should I die?
The speaker contrasts the lover's recent vow with his immediate betrayal.
“He did not kiss me when he said good-bye; I let him go, not asking why, Nor do I for him sigh; He’s gone another virgin breast to tear, He’s gone on other lips to die, Why should I care?”
He didn't kiss me goodbye; I let him leave without question, and I don't long for him. He has gone to wound another woman and to perish on other lips, so why should I care?
The speaker asserts her indifference to the lover's departure and his new conquest.
