Rosemary

THERE was a long path through the fern,— O Rosemary, dost thou not know? A silver maple at the turn, A little gate below. There was a youth, there was a maid, She in the light, he in the shade, When all the world was fair to see,— O Rosemary, O Rosemary!

There was a briar by the wall,— O Rosemary, hast thou forgot? A slender, tender hand and small, Stained with a crimson spot. There was a little cry of pain, Two heads bent low, then raised again; And all the sun seemed poured on me,— O Rosemary, O Rosemary!

There came a sail upon the bay,— O Rosemary, didst thou foreknow? Two blue eyes wandered far away, Two cheeks were all aglow:— A sail which neared and grew until It cast a heart in shadow chill; When someone's ship came in from sea,— O Rosemary, O Rosemary!