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.