Classic Poem

Yesterevening's shades descending
On — you've guessed it — yesterday
Found me, as the bard says, wending
Home my way.

In the subway, squeezed and tightsome,
(This is not to be a rhyme
Of the subway. That I'll write some
Other time.)

In the subway (O my brothers,
What a subject for a pome!)
I was — with a lot of others —
Going home.

And a lady stood beside me
Fair as any I have seen.
She was — yes, whate'er betide me! —
Quelque queen.

Fair as lady ever sought of
Knight of a forgotten year.
(I immediately thought of
Guinevere.)

Fain for her would I demand some
Boon ... And underneath her strap
Sat a knightly and a handsome-
Looking chap.

Sturdy, brave, and true — the kind of
Man who'd fight, and falter not.
(Straightway he put me in mind of
Launcelot.)

" Now, " methought (my thoughts are tender
And as maple sugar sweet),
" To the lady he'll surrender
Up his seat. "

But he read along unheeding,
Giving Guinevere no look;
And he kept intently reading
In his book.

And I looked, the title-page of
That there volume for to see.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
It was Bulfinch's " The Age of
Chivalry. "