A SUMMER SCENE by JOHN GODFREY SAXE

I SAW you, lately, at an hour
To lovers reckoned dear
For tender trysts; and this is what
I chanced to see and hear:

You sat beneath the Summer moon,
A friend on either hand,
And one applauded your discourse,
And one -- could understand.

You quoted gems of poesy
By mighty masters wrought;
And one remarked the pleasant rhyme,
And one, the golden thought.

Your smiles (how equally bestowed!)
Upon the list'ners fell;
And one was fain to praise your eyes,
And one, to read them well.

You jested in a merry vein,
And, conscious, played the child;
And one was moved to brave retort,
And one, in silence, smiled.

You spoke of angel-life above
That evermore endures;
And one looked up, with lifted hands,
And one -- was kissing yours!

And then you laughed the ringing laugh
That shows a spirit glad;
And one, thereat, was very gay,
And one was something sad.

And did you guess (ah! need I ask?)
While thus they sat with you,
That one was but a light gallant,
And one a lover true?

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