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.
