第37章 POEM: GRETNA GREEN

Last night when I kissed you, My soul caught alight;

And oh! how I missed you The rest of the night -

Till Love in derision Smote sleep with his wings, And gave me in vision Impossible things.

A night that was clouded, Long windows asleep;

Dark avenues crowded With secrets to keep.

A terrace, a lover, A foot on the stair;

The waiting was over, The lady was there.

What a flight, what a night!

The hoofs splashed and pounded.

Dark fainted in light And the first bird-notes sounded.

You slept on my shoulder, Shy night hid your face;

But dawn, bolder, colder, Beheld our embrace.

Your lips of vermilion, Your ravishing shape, The flogging postillion, The village agape, The rattle and thunder Of postchaise a-speed . . .

My woman, my wonder, My ultimate need!

We two matched for mating Came, handclasped, at last, Where the blacksmith was waiting To fetter us fast . . .

At the touch of the fetter The dream snapped and fell -

And I woke to your letter That bade me farewell.