Radney Kay

Dear Radney Kay,
Where are you now?
In sun, in rain,? –
Or is your brow
Past joy, past pain,
Dear Radney Kay?

Sweet Radney Kay,
How you could smile,
How you could sing! -
How archly wile
In glance-giving,
Sweet Radney Kay!

And, Radney Kay
Who else had hair
Bay-red as yours,
Or flesh so Fair
Bred out of doors,
Sweet Radney Kay!

When, Radney Kay
You had just begun
To be endeared
By stealth to one,
You disappeared
My Radney Kay!

Dear Radney Kay,

I should have thought,
‘Girls ripen fast,’
And coaxed and caught
You ere you passed,
Dear Radney Kay!

But, Radney Kay,
I let you slip;
Shaped not a sign;
Touched never your lip
With lip of mine,
Lost Radney Kay!

So, Radney Kay,
When on a day
Women speak of me
As not, you’ll say
‘And who was she?’
Yes, Radney Kay!