Etchings in Verse (Underhill)/Classes in Love

by Andrew Findlay Underhill

CLASSES IN LOVE.

DOWN on the beach
Helen doth teach
 Classes in love.
Watching the beach
 Sea-gulls, above,
Twitter and screech.
 "'Tis quite absurd"—
 So thinks the bird—
"School, on the beach!"

She doesn't know
Love from a crow.
 Still it is queer
Why her class know
 Love, and revere
Helen, and grow
 Learned and wise,
 Tho' her bright eyes,
Seem not to know.

One dreamy night
Helen, in white,
 Strolled on the beach.
Teaching at night.
 Sweet as a peach
In the pale light.
 One in her class—
 No more, alas!
That balmy night.

Down on the beach
Harry doth teach
 Helen of love.
Stars on the beach
 Beam from above.
Happy is each,
 Helen and he—
 Kissing—ah me!
Down on the beach.