| Jessie B. Rittenhouse, ed. (18691948). The Second Book of Modern Verse. 1922. |
| |
| The Dark Cavalier |
| | | Margaret Widdemer |
| |
| |
| I AM the Dark Cavalier; I am the Last Lover: | |
| My arms shall welcome you when other arms are tired; | |
| I stand to wait for you, patient in the darkness, | |
| Offering forgetfulness of all that you desired. | |
| |
| I ask no merriment, no pretense of gladness, | 5 |
| I can love heavy lids and lips without their rose; | |
| Though you are sorrowful you will not weary me; | |
| I will not go from you when all the tired world goes. | |
| |
| I am the Dark Cavalier; I am the Last Lover; | |
| I promise faithfulness no other lips may keep; | 10 |
| Safe in my bridal place, comforted by darkness, | |
| You shall lie happily, smiling in your sleep. | |
| |
|
|
|