The inner chamber, even as one who treads

The haunts of mating birds, and watch discreetly

Over your paper’s edge. There in the corner,

Obscure, ensconced behind the uncovered table,

A man and woman keep their silent tryst.

Outside the morning floods the pavement sweetly;

Yonder aloft a maid throws back the shutters;

The hucksters utter modulated cries

As wistful as some old pathetic ballad.

Within the brooding lovers, unaware,