When Mabel Skates

When Mabel skates I can but watch

     Her flitting here and there;

I oft forget to skate myself

     The picture is so fair.

The stream tho’ thronged with happy souls

     Looks bare and desolate

Till Mabel comes careening by,

     A winged Queen a-skate.

When Mabel skates the world and all

     Is bright and fair to see;

She is a laughing winter sprite

     Of grace and witchery.

The music of her flashing steel

     Rings sweetly in my ears;

Her laugh goes rippling thro’ the wood,

     And fills the gods with fears.

When Mabel skates I fain would be

     A mighty knight of old;

And bear her swiftly o’er the ice

     Unto my realm of gold.

Alas! I’m not, I can but stand

     There helpless on the scene;

For Mabel’s nearly twenty six,

     And I am not sixteen.

Jan. 25, 1900