3255
Where Tim the ostler listened. His face was white and peaked.
3256
His eyes were hollows of madness, his hair like mouldy hay,
3257
But he loved the landlord’s daughter,
3258
The landlord’s red-lipped daughter.
3259
Dumb as a dog he listened, and he heard the robber say—
3260
“One kiss, my bonny sweetheart, I’m after a prize to-night,
3261
But I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light;
3262
Yet, if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day…
3263
Then look for me by moonlight,
3264
Watch for me by moonlight,
3265
I’ll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way.”
(Would that be the serious moonlight? ;))
3266
He rose upright in the stirrups…
3267
He scarce could reach her hand,
3268
But she loosened her hair in the casement. (strange girl; most of the women I’ve met have their hair on their heads)
-“BB”-
3269
His face burnt like a brand
3270
As the black cascade of perfume came tumbling over his breast;
3271
And he kissed its waves in the moonlight,
-“BB”-
3272
(O, sweet black waves in the moonlight!)
3273
Then he tugged at his rein in the moonlight
3274
And galloped away to the west.