Classic Poem

Along the frozen lake she comes
In linking crescents light and fleet;
The ice-embowered undine hums
A welcome to her fairy feet.

I see the jaunty hat, the plume,
Flit bird-like in the frosty gale,
The cheeks alight with burning bloom,
The dark eyes beaming through the veil.

The eager breath parts coral lips,
The marble neck parts tossing curls,
The witching vesture sways and dips
As round she wheels in rapid whorls.

Men pause and smile to see her go;
They gaze, they smile in pleased surprise;
They ask her name; they long to show
Some silent friendship in their eyes.

She glances not; she passes on;
Her steely footfall quicker rings;
She guesses not the benison
That follows her on noiseless wings.

Smooth be her ways, secure her tread
Along the devious lines of life
From grace to grace successive led,
A noble maiden, nobler wife!

So much I wish her while she strays
In sylphic dance from shore to shore,
Already fearful lest my gaze
May chance upon her nevermore.