READ BY MOONLIGHT

I paused to read a letter of hers By the moon’s cold shine, Eyeing it in the tenderest way, And edging it up to catch each ray Upon her light-penned line. I did not know what years would flow Of her life’s span and mine Ere I read another letter of hers By the moon’s cold shine!

I chance now on the last of hers, By the moon’s cold shine; It is the one remaining page Out of the many shallow and sage Whereto she set her sign. Who could foresee there were to be Such letters of pain and pine Ere I should read this last of hers By the moon’s cold shine!