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Home  »  The Book of New York Verse  »  Clinton Scollard

Hamilton Fish Armstrong, ed. The Book of New York Verse. 1917.

An Evening Walk

Clinton Scollard

BEYOND the clash and clang of cars,

The clamorous rush of trade,

One night at earliest peer of stars,

Apart alone I strayed.

Crossing a little square where eve

Descended, pensive-eyed,

Lo, a soft touch upon my sleeve,—

A slim form at my side!

He bowed with old-time courtesy,

And words urbane on lip,

Craving, in gracious wise, of me

A twilight comradeship.

His hat was strange; his coat was strange;

His mien had subtle grace;

Emotions swept in restless change

Across his shadowed face.

He dwelt upon the lapse of years;

His voice, smooth-toned and low,

Compassed the ecstasies and tears

Of those dead long ago.

His speech with anecdote was fraught

Of bygone beau and dame,

And evermore the sound I caught

Of Blennerhasset’s name.

At length I shrank as though a-cold;

Methought I heard a moan,

And when I turned my eyes, behold,

I was once more alone!

My questioning heart within my side

Gave sudden startled stir;—

I had companioned, stride for stride,

The wraith of Aaron Burr!