PEEP-OF-DAWN

The tallyho of slumber’s on

The last relay of dreams;

Posthaste it rides with ribbons drawn

O’er curvetting gray teams.

The wayside house just left behind

Was Where-the-Cock-Crew Inn;

The road ahead with rose is lined

And known as Work-to-Win.

Intoxicated senses sink

In visions of delight;

And Venus’ eye begins to wink

Where it outrides the night.

Sly fingers lift the window-shades,

But ere espied are gone;

And on the drowsy milking-maids

Tiptoes the Peep-of-Dawn.

Dame Nature in abandon lies

With skirts in disarray,

And overtaken with surprise

Is kissed by stealthy Day;

The coverts rub their eyes and wake,

And dreaming Love anon

Goes forth on Rosy Road to make

A tryst with Peep-of-Dawn.