STORY OF THE GATE
ACROSS the pathway, myrtle-fringed,
Under the maple, it was hinged—
The little wooden gate;
’Twas there within the quiet gloam,
When I had strolled with Nelly home,
I used to pause and wait.
Before I said to her good-night,
Yet loath to leave the winsome sprite
Within the garden’s pale;
And there, the gate between us two,
We’d linger as all lovers do,
And lean upon the rail.
And face to face, eyes close to eyes,
Hands meeting hands in feigned surprise,
After a stealthy quest,—
So close I’d bend, ere she’d retreat,
That I’d grow drunken from the sweet
Tuberose upon her breast.
We’d talk—in fitful style, I ween—
With many a meaning glance between
The tender words and low;
We’d whisper some dear, sweet conceit,
Some idle gossip we’d repeat,
“Good-night,” I’d say; “Good-night—good-by!”
“Good-night”—from her with half a sigh—
“Good-night!” “Good-night!” And then
And then I do not go, but stand,
Again lean on the railing, and—
Begin it all again.
Ah! that was many a day ago—
That pleasant summer-time—although
The gate is standing yet;
A little cranky, it may be,
A little weather-worn—like me—
Who never can forget.
The happy “End”? My cynic friend,
Pray save your sneers—there was no “end.”
Watch yonder chubby thing!
That is our youngest, hers and mine;
See how he climbs, his legs to twine
About the gate and swing.
Harrison Robertson.