READ BY MOONLIGHT

I paused to read a letter of hers

By the moon's cold shine,

Eyeing it in the tenderest way,

And edging it up to catch each ray

Upon her light-penned line.

I did not know what years would flow

Of her life's span and mine

Ere I read another letter of hers

By the moon's cold shine!

I chance now on the last of hers,

By the moon's cold shine;

It is the one remaining page

Out of the many shallow and sage

Whereto she set her sign.

Who could foresee there were to be

Such letters of pain and pine

Ere I should read this last of hers

By the moon's cold shine!