Classic Poem

Little Grisette, you haunt me yet;
My passion for you was long ago,
Before my head was heavy with snow,
Or mine eye had lost its lustre of jet.
In the dim old Quartier Latin we met;
We plighted faith one night in June,
And all our life was honeymoon;
We did not ask if it were sin,
We did not go to kirk to know,
We only loved and let the world
Hum on its pelfish way below:
Marked from our castle in the air,
How pigmy its triumphal cars —
Eight stages from the entry stair,
But near the stars!

Little Grisette, rich or in debt,
We were too fond to chide or sigh, —
Never so poor that I could not buy
A sweet, sweet kiss, from my little Grisette.
If I could nothing gain or get,
By hook, or crook, or song, or story,
Along the starving road to glory,
I marvelled how your nimble thimble,
As to a tune, danced fast and fleeting,
And stopped my pen to catch the music,
But only heard my heart a-beating;
The quaint old roofs and gables airy
Flung down the light, for you to wear it,
And made my love a queen in faery,
To haunt my garret.

Little Grisette, the meals you set
Were sweeter to me than banquet feast;
Your face was a blessing fit for a priest;
At your smile the candle went out in a pet.
The wonderful chops, I shall never forget!
If the wine was a trifle too sharp or rank,
We kissed each time before we drank.
The old gilt clock, e'er wrong, was swinging;
The waxed floor your feet reflected;
And dear Beranger's chansons singing,
You tricked at picquet till detected.
You fill my pipe; — is it your eyes
Whereat I light your cigarette? —
On all but me the darkness lies,
And my Grisette!

Little Grisette, the soft sunset
Lingered a long while, that we might stay,
To mark the Seine from the breezy quay
Around the bridges foam and fret;
How came it that your eyes were wet,
When I ambitiously would be,
A man renowned across the sea?
I told you I should come again, —
It was but half way round the globe, —
To bring you diamonds for your faith,
And for your gray a silken robe:
You were more wise than lovers are;
I meant, Sweetheart, to tell you true,
I said a tearful " Au revoir; "
You said: " Adieu! "

Little Grisette, we both regret;
For I am wedded more than wived;
Those careless days, in thought revived,
But teach me I cannot forget.
Perhaps old age must pay the debt
Folly contracted long ago, —
I only know, I only know,
That phantoms haunt me everywhere
By busy day, in peopled gloam, —
They rise between me and my prayer,
They chafe the holiness of home!
My wife is proud, my boy is cold,
I dare not speak of what I fret:
'Tis my heart's rest with thee, I fold,
Little Grisette!