Raglan Road

On Raglan Road of an Autumn Day,
I saw her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare
That I might one day rue.
I saw the danger, and I passed
Along the enchanted way
And I said let grief be a falling leaf
At the dawning of the day.

On Grafton Street in November,
We tripped lightly along the ledge
Of a deep ravine where can be seen
The worst of passions pledged.
The Queen of Hearts still making tarts
And I not making hay,
Oh I loved too much; and by such by such
Is happiness thrown away.

I gave her gifts of the mind.
I gave her the secret sign
That's known to the artists who have known
That true gods of sound and stone.
And word and tint without stint.
I gave her poems to say
With her own name there and her own dark hair
Like the clouds over fields of May.

On a quiet street where old ghosts meet,
I see her walking now
Away from me, so hurriedly.
My reason must allow,
That I have loved, not as I should
A creature made of clay.
When the angel woos the clay, he'll lose
His wings at the dawn of the day.