Epigraph

“A little nonsense
now and then,
Is relished by
the best of men.”
Oliver
❦Wendell
Holmes.

One Autumn Night

AA calm, delightful autumn night;
A moon’s mysterious, misty light;
A maiden at her window height,
In proper robe of fleecy white.

The little wicket gate ajar;
A lover tripping from afar,
With tuneful voice and light guitar,
To woo his radiant guiding star.

The lute gave forth a plaintive twang—
Oh, how that doting lover sang!
A bull-dog with invidious fang—
A nip, a grip, and then a pang!

A maiden swooning in affright.
A lover in a piteous plight,
A canine quivering with delight—
A wild, delirious autumn night!