The Poetry Corner

The Fugitive

By John Collings Squire, Sir

Flying his hair and his eyes averse, Fleet are his feet and his heart apart. How could our song his charms rehearse? Fleet are his feet and his heart apart. High on a down we found him last, Shy as a hare, he fled as fast; How could we clasp him or ever he passed? Fleet are his feet and his heart apart. How could we cling to his limbs that shone, Ravish his cheeks' red gonfalon, Or the wild-skin cloak that he had on? Fleet are his feet and his heart apart. For the wind of his feet still straightly shaping, He loosed at our breasts from his eyes escaping One crooked swift glance like a javelin leaping. Fleet are his feet and his heart apart. And his feet passed over the sunset land From the place forlorn where a forlorn band Watching him flying we still did stand. Fleet are his feet and his heart apart. Vanishing now who would not stay To the blue hills on the verge of day. O soft! soft!Music play, Fading away, (Fleet are his feet And his heart apart) Fading away.