The Elopement

'I shall come for you one dark night
And beneath the black bannered skies,
Bejeweled with stars, by their light,
I shall kiss your leaden-lidded eyes.'

Below a silver, slivered moon,
He slips inside the household where
His footsteps dance a silent tune
Upon its tiles, then climb the stair
Towards her chamber where they soon
Will welcome one another there.

'I'll steal you from this doleful world,
Beset by duty, pain and dread,
And bear you lightly, body curled,
From this lonely, loveless bed.'

She feels his breath upon her face,
He draws her forehead to his chest
And, folding her in love's embrace,
Holds her tightly to his breast:
Till hand-in-hand they quit that place,
And set out on their lovers' quest.

'I'll carry you, love, far from here
Along your future's fearless track –
So wish well those whom you hold dear,
For there will be no coming back.'

At hour agreed, by means bespoke,
He bears her off, as he has sworn,
And leaves behind in parting joke
To greet the chill and cheerless dawn
Her skin and bones, that empty cloak,
For family and friends to mourn.