01.01.2011, 13:20
A NIGHT-CHARGE AGAINST A SWAN BY A LOVER
The swan, wild-clanging, scoured the midnight lake.
And broke my dream of Annie, and I lay,
Through those brief hours before the dawn of day.
Chiding the sound that startled me awake.
Ungracious bird, why didst thou come between
My loving cjuestion and her dear reply ?
I saw her parted lip, her downcast eye,
I saw how sweet her answer would have been,
Hadst thou not cried just then in love's despite !
For once, I pray, thy clamorous zeal forbear,
And grant this easy boon to me and her :
I claim my perfect dream : be mute to-night :
Thy voice kept Annie silent : I foresee
Thy silence will be Annie's voice to me.
The swan, wild-clanging, scoured the midnight lake.
And broke my dream of Annie, and I lay,
Through those brief hours before the dawn of day.
Chiding the sound that startled me awake.
Ungracious bird, why didst thou come between
My loving cjuestion and her dear reply ?
I saw her parted lip, her downcast eye,
I saw how sweet her answer would have been,
Hadst thou not cried just then in love's despite !
For once, I pray, thy clamorous zeal forbear,
And grant this easy boon to me and her :
I claim my perfect dream : be mute to-night :
Thy voice kept Annie silent : I foresee
Thy silence will be Annie's voice to me.