Lines in Pleasant Places Rhythmics of many moods and quantities. Wise and otherwise |
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[As I along the street did go] |
 | Lines in Pleasant Places |  |
[As I along the street did go]
As I along the street did goThe while came down the powdery snow,
I saw a lady, gayly dight,
Pass o'er the pave with footstep light.
Her sprightly air, her beauteous form,
Carried my very heart by storm.
She seemed to me embodied grace,
An angel's sweetness in her face,
A complaisance almost divine,
Wherein the seraph seemed to shine.
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With head erect and airy tread;
The while my heart beat fast and strong
I marked her step the path along,
When, as she pressed the treacherous glare
Of ice that clothed the pavement there,
Her feet from their adhesion tripped,
And down upon the ice she slipped!
Horrors! the volume of my blood
Within its channels stagnant stood.
I rushed to aid her as she lay,
A helpless form upon the way;
But, as I reached to help the maid,
I found myself beside her laid!—
My feet had touched the glairy spot,
And down I tumbled as if shot.
She gained her feet, and laughing scorn
She gave me as I lay forlorn,
And said, “Young man, take my advice,—
Don't try so big a thing on ice!; ”
Then vanished from my vision's bliss,
Nor have I seen anything of her from that day to this.
| Lines in Pleasant Places | |