The Downing legends : Stories in Rhyme :: :: University of Virginia Library

They met and passed; in vain he sought
To clutch her while she skimmed anear;
She whirled her paddle quick as thought,
And sent her feathery pinnace clear,
Then turned the prow adown the flow
And paddled gently, flinging back
Such smiles as love alone should throw,
To lure him down her fatal track.

He followed where her witchery led,
He went like one with frenzied head,
He seemed a man as good as dead:
His only longing was to seize,
To clutch and carry her away,
No matter where, no matter why;
And so he bent him on his knees,
And made his paddle madly play,
And flew like one who longs to die.

Now came a throbbing, reeling strife
For mastery in speed; the blades
Incessant leaped to swifter life;
And through the river's lights and shades,
Forever quickening, hissed the skiffs.
The rippling pools and bays retired;—
The lofty landmarks—hills and cliffs;
And still the panting rowers fired
Their madding hearts to fiercer race;
While aye the maiden backward cast
The elfin glamor of her face,
And seemed to beckon, “Follow fast!”