The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar/The Lapse

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

THE LAPSE

This poem must be done to-day;
  Then, I 'll e'en to it.
I must not dream my time away,—
  I 'm sure to rue it.
The day is rather bright, I know
  The Muse will pardon
My half-defection, if I go
  Into the garden.
It must be better working there,—
  I 'm sure it's sweeter:
And something in the balmy air
  May clear my metre.

  [In the Garden.]

Ah this is noble, what a sky!
  What breezes blowing!
The very clouds, I know not why,
  Call one to rowing.
The stream will be a paradise
  To-day, I 'll warrant.
I know the tide that's on the rise
  Will seem a torrent;
I know just how the leafy boughs
  Are all a-quiver;
I know how many skiffs and scows
  Are on the river.
I think I 'll just go out awhile
  Before I write it;
When Nature shows us such a smile,
  We should n't slight it.
For Nature always makes desire
  By giving pleasure;
And so 't will help me put more fire
  Into my measure.

  [On the River.]

The river's fine, I 'm glad I came,
  That poem 's teasing;
But health is better far than fame,
  Though cheques are pleasing.
I don't know what I did it for,—
  This air 's a poppy.
I 'm sorry for my editor,—
  He 'll get no copy!