You wearied of the waltz at last. I led you out into the night. Warm in my hand I held yours fast. Your face was flushed; your eyes were bright. The moon hung like a shell of light Above the lake, the tangled trees; And borne to us with fragrances Of roses that were ripe to fall, The soul of music from the hall Beat in the moonlight and the breeze, As youth's wild heart grown weary of Desire and its dream of love. I held your arm and, for a while, We walked along the balmy aisle Of blossoms that, like velvet, dips Unto the lake which lilies tile With stars; and hyacinths, with strips Of heaven. And beside a fall, That down a ferned and mossy wall Fell in a lake,--deep, woodbine-wound,-- A latticed summer-house we found; A green kiosk; through which the sound Of waters and of zephyrs swayed, And honeysuckle bugles played Soft serenades of perfume sweet,-- Around which ran a rustic seat. And seated in that haunted nook,-- I know not how it was,--a word, A touch, perhaps, a sigh, a look, Was father to the kiss I took; Great things grow out of small I've heard. And then it was I took between My hands your face, loved Geraldine, And gazed into your eyes, and told The story ever new though old. You did not look away, but met My eyes with eyes whose lids were wet With tears of truth; and you did lean Your cheek to mine, my Geraldine.-- I never dreamed you would forget. The night-wind and the water sighed: And through the leaves, that stirred above, The moonbeams swooned with music of The dance--soft things in league with love: I never dreamed that you had lied. How all comes back now, Geraldine! The melody; the glimmering scene; Your angel face; and ev'n,--between Your lawny breasts,--the heart-shaped jewel,-- To which your breath gave fluctuant fuel,-- A rosy star of stormy fire; The snowy drift of your attire, Lace-deep and fragrant: and your hair, Disordered in the dance, held back By one gemmed pin,--a moonbeam there, Half-drowned within its night-like black.-- And I who sat beside you then Seemed blessed above all mortal men.