Along the quais and verdant promenades of the susurrous and tranquil Tiber Memories of centuries and decades mingle together the whims of Liber and Greek Bacchus in capricious malice the poor soul of a poor pilgrim to taunt the hapless hopes of my sad cowardice and frail promises a lifetime to haunt Sweet Destiny why dost thou deny me white veil of vestal love by cruel decree? Quiet and demure, by that old river, she sat sketching a great ancient fortress Whence an arrow for me from his quiver naughty Cupid did loosen with finesse The small ink images I admired but all the more her sweet gentleness set my heart afire; for things desired and long loved, when found lead to a madness that reason eclipses and the heart floods and drives men to mischief, pleasure of gods A Russian child hesitates to correct a number given out wrong, but the heart supercedes the cautions of intellect A tryst is arranged and thus they depart At dinner the restaurant staff giggles amused at the sight of young puppy love She never touches dinner but wiggles whilst he whispers and coos like a mad dove She only stares with eyes open wide and says not a word for the duration 'till it's clear that better a quiet stride than a dull one-sided conversation To be adored so, what a rush it is! Even when bittersweet fate is what's his! A bottle of red wine falls from his hand from old bridge into Tiberian waters As does a future once wished for and planned 'Twas not his, to take of Russia's daughters! [25 V 04]