BETWEEN THE DARK AND THE DAYLIGHT,
WHEN THE NIGHT IS BEGINNING TO LOWER,
COMES A PAUSE IN THE DAYS OCCUPATIONS,
THAT IS KNOWN AS THE CHILDREN'S HOUR.
I HEAR IN THE CHAMBER ABOVE ME
THE PATTER OF LITTLE FEET,
THE SOUND OF A DOOR THAT IS OPENED,
AND VOICES SOFT AND SWEET.
FROM MY STUDY I SEE IN THE LAMPLIGHT,
DESCENDING THE BROAD HALL STAIR,
GRAVE ALICE,AND LUAGHING ALLEGRA,
AND EDITH WITH GOLDEN HAIR.
A WHISPER, AND THEN A SILENCE:
YET I KNOW BY THEIR MARRY EYES
THEY ARE PLOTTING AND PLANNING TOGETHER
TO TAKE ME BY SURPRISE.
A SUDDEN RUSH FROM THE STAIRWAY,
A SUDDEN RAID FROM THE HALL!
BY THREE DOORS LEFT UNGUARDED
THEY ENTER MY CASTLE WALL!
THEY CLIMB UP TO MY TURRET
O'ER THE ARMS AND BACK OF MY CHAIR;
IF I TRY TO ESCAPE, THEY SURROUND ME;
THEY SEEM TO BE EVERYWHERE.
THEY ALMOST DEVOUR ME WITH KISSES,
THEIR ARMS ABOUT ME ENTWINE,
TILL I THINK OF THE BISHOP OF BINGEN
IN HIS MOUSE-TOWER ON THE RHINE!
DO YOU THINK, O BLUE-EYED BANDITTI,
BECAUSE YOU HAVE SCALED THE WALL,
SUCH AN OLD MUSTACHE AS I AM
IS NOT A MATCH FOR YOU ALL!
I HAVE YOU FAST IN MY FORTRESS,
AND WILL NOT LET YOU DEPART,
BUT PUT YOU DOWN INTO THE DUNGEON
IN THE ROUND TOWER OF MY HEART.
AND THERE I WILL KEEP YOU FOREVER,
YES,FOREVER AND A DAY,
TILL THE WALLS SHALL CRUMBLE TO RUIN,
AND MOULDER IN DUST AWAY!
HENRY WADSWORHT LONGFELLOW
