“LOCAL FATALITIES ARE REPORTED”

Dangerously sheltered they,

The lovers lay

Upon the great dead hill,

Frail flesh and blood:

Beneath a twisted thorn,

Which to the heaven’s mood

Died and was born

Again, as lightning fell.

Two mites of trembling clay—

Ah, what cared they!

The lightning flashed:

They laughed.

The thunder crashed:

They kissed.

The grey rain lashed

The hill: and hid them in mist.

Did they return again

To the sunny plain,

To spite and scorn,

The plane of mortal care?

Nay, with passions of skies

They mingled were ...

They were made wise

Beneath the twisted thorn.