When the game began between them for a jest，
He played king and she played queen to match the best；
Laughter soft as tears ，and tears that turned to laugher ，
These were things she sought for years and sorrowed after.
Pleasure with dry lips ，and pain that walks by night ；
All the sting and all the stain of long delight ；
These were things he knew not of ，that knew not of her ，
When she played at half a love with half a love .
Time was chorus ， gave them cues to laugh or cry ；
They would kill ，befool ，amuse him ， let him die
Set him webs to weave to-day and break to-morrow
Till he died for good in play ，and rose ill sorrow.
What the years mean ； how time dies and is not slain ；
How love grows and laughs and cries and wanes again ；
These were things she came to know ， and take their measure ，
When the play was played out so for one man’s pleasure .
PS：一首英语小诗，不怎么美，还请指教。