The Scarlet Gown Being Verses by a St. Andrews Man (R. F. Murray): Second Edition with Additional Poems, and an Introduction by Andrew Lang |
An Interview |
The Scarlet Gown | ||
56
An Interview
I met him down upon the pier,
His eyes were wild and sad,
And something in them made me fear
That he was going mad.
His eyes were wild and sad,
And something in them made me fear
That he was going mad.
So, being of a prudent sort,
I stood some distance off,
And before speaking gave a short
Conciliatory cough.
I stood some distance off,
And before speaking gave a short
Conciliatory cough.
I then observed, ‘What makes you look
So singularly glum?’
No notice of my words he took.
I said, ‘Pray, are you dumb?’
So singularly glum?’
No notice of my words he took.
I said, ‘Pray, are you dumb?’
‘Oh no!’ he said, ‘I do not think
My power of speech is lost,
But when one's hopes are black as ink,
Why, talking is a frost.
My power of speech is lost,
But when one's hopes are black as ink,
Why, talking is a frost.
57
‘You see, I'm in for Math. again,
And certain to be ploughed.
Please tell me where I could obtain
An inexpensive shroud.’
And certain to be ploughed.
Please tell me where I could obtain
An inexpensive shroud.’
I told him where such things are had,
Well made, and not too dear;
And, feeling really very sad,
I left him on the pier.
Well made, and not too dear;
And, feeling really very sad,
I left him on the pier.
The Scarlet Gown | ||