Side by side with Lady Mabel <br />Sate I, with the sunshade down; <br />In the distance hummed the Babel <br />Of the many-footed town; <br />There we sate with looks unstable- <br />Now of tenderness, of frown. <br /> <br />``Must we part? or may I linger? <br />Wax the shadows, wanes the day.'' <br />Then, with voice of sweetest singer <br />That hath all but died away, <br />``Go,'' she said; but tightened finger <br />Said articulately, ``Stay!'' <br /> <br />Face to face with Lady Mabel, <br />With the gauzy curtains drawn, <br />Till a sense I am unable <br />To portray began to dawn; <br />Till the slant sun flung the gable <br />Far athwart the sleepy lawn. <br /> <br />``Now I go. Adieu, adieu, love! <br />This is weakness; sweet, be strong. <br />Comes the footfall of the dew, love! <br />Philomel's reminding song.'' <br />``Go,'' she said; ``but I go too, love! <br />Go with you, my life along!'' <br /> <br />Breast to breast with Lady Mabel, <br />Shrouded by the courteous night, <br />Baffling all the forms of fable <br />To describe our dreams aright; <br />And as pure as gifts of Abel, <br />In the Omnipresent sight.<br /><br />Alfred Austin<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/lady-mabel/
