The Lovers’ Litany

Eyes of grey a sodden quay Driving rain and falling tears As the steamer wears to sea In a parting storm of cheers Sing for Faith and Hope are high None so true as you and I Sing the Lovers’ Litany “Love like ours can never die!” Eyes of black a throbbing keel Milky foam to left and right Whispered converse near the wheel In the brilliant tropic night Cross that rules the Southern Sky! Stars that sweep and wheel and fly Hear the Lovers’ Litany “Love like ours can never die!” Eyes of brown a dusy plain Split and parched with heat of June Flying hoof and tightened rein Hearts that beat the old old tune Side by side the horses fly Frame we now the old reply Of the Lovers’ Litany “Love like ours can never die!” Eyes of blue the Simla Hills Silvered with the moonlight hoar Pleading of the waltz that thrills Dies and echoes round Benmore “Mabel” “Officers” “Good-bye” Glamour wine and witchery On my soul’s sincerity “Love like ours can never die!” Maidens of your charity Pity my most luckless state Four times Cipid’s debtor I Bankrupt in quadruplicate Yet despite this evil case And a maiden showed me grace Four-and-forty times would I Sing the Lovers’ Litany “Love like ours can never die!”