Brooding, dark, and elegant—

Stranger, aren’t you the man

who frightened the children yesterday?

“Mama!” they shouted, “he’s wicked!” and ran.

You went to visit my sweetheart

where she took the evening air,

said: “Permit me to introduce myself …”

And laughed: “… how beautiful you are …”

She twisted the ring on her finger,

smiled like any coquette, and said:

“Sir, I’ve heard of your wicked adventures—

but why is your glove stained red?”

“Believe me, Lady,

those stories aren’t true—

Do I look like an evil adventurer?

I’m only as old as you.”

“Oh sir, I can hardly believe that …

you have such melancholy eyes!”

Strands of spider-glitter drifted

in the water-mirrored skies.

Two figures were seen on the pathway,

the little boat was gone …

And a long embrace of water

silenced my sweetheart’s moan.