Last night when I kissed you, br My soul caught alight; br And oh! how I missed you br The rest of the night - br Till Love in derision br Smote sleep with his wings, br And gave me in vision br Impossible things. br br A night that was clouded, br Long windows asleep; br Dark avenues crowded br With secrets to keep. br A terrace, a lover, br A foot on the stair; br The waiting was over, br The lady was there. br br What a flight, what a night! br The hoofs splashed and pounded. br Dark fainted in light br And the first bird-notes sounded. br You slept on my shoulder, br Shy night hid your face; br But dawn, bolder, colder, br Beheld our embrace. br br Your lips of vermilion, br Your ravishing shape, br The flogging postillion, br The village agape, br The rattle and thunder br Of postchaise a-speed . . . br My woman, my wonder, br My ultimate need! br br We two matched for mating br Came, handclasped, at last, br Where the blacksmith was waiting br To fetter us fast . . . br At the touch of the fetter br The dream snapped and fell - br And I woke to your letter br That bade me farewell.