His Last Resort

For years he tried to see her home,

     For years had she declined.

Each time he brought some good excuse,

But she in ways that maidens use,

     Would some quick answer find.

This night he came as usual,

     Without a thought of failing,

And said: “I think it is my privilege

For there’s a man down on the bridge

     A-leaning ‘gainst the railing.”

She listened quite attentively,

     Then spoke in accents rare:

“O thank you, John, for telling me,

     He said he’d meet me there.”

Jan. 28, 1892

Pub. in Boston Courier

May 14, ‘93