Caprice

SHE hung the cage at the window; 'If he goes by,' she said, 'He will hear my robin singing, And when he lifts his head, I shall be sitting here to sew, And he will bow to me, I know.' The robin sang a love-sweet song, The young man raised his head; The maiden turned away and blushed: 'I am a fool!' she said, And went on 'broidering in silk A pink-eyed rabbit, white as milk. The young man loitered slowly By the house three times that day; She took her bird from the window: 'He need not look this way.' She sat at her piano long, And sighed, and played a death-sad song. But when the day was done, she said, 'I wish that he would come! Remember, Mary, if he calls To-night -- I'm not at home.' So when he rang, she went -- the elf! -- She went and let him in herself. They sang full long together Their songs love-sweet, death-sad; The robin woke from his slumber, And rang out, clear and glad. 'Now go!' she coldly said; ' 'tis late'; And followed him -- to latch the gate. He took the rosebud from her hair, While, 'You shall not!' she said; He closed her hand within his own, And, while her tongue forbade, Her will was darkened in the eclipse Of blinding love upon his lips.