The Unknown Lady

The heated air in the restaurants
Is  wild and dull as anything,
The drunken  hails are ruled by  restless
And noxious spirit of the spring.

Far off, beyond the dusty alley
Over the boring   country side
There is a bakeshop,  and the valley
Resounds with crying of a child.

And every night, beyond the barriers,
Parading, cocking their hats,
Amidst the ditches the admirers
Perambulate with dear  hearts.
  
Above the lake the creak of ore-lock
And women"s screams impale the place,
And in the sky, the moon disk warlock,
Inanely smiling,  makes a face.

And every night, my friend appears
As  a reflection in my glass,
Like me, he"s stunned  and  set at ease
By magic liquid, drunk en mass.

The  footmen, true to their habits,
Relax at tables next to us,
And drunkards, staring  like rabbits,
Exclaim:  In vino veritas!

And  every evening  at this  hour
(or is it just a dreamy  case?)
A waist in satin,  like a flower,
Moves past the window in the haze.

Without drunken men to hinder,
Alone, she walks across the room
And settles down by the window
Exhaling fog and sweet perfume.

There is a kind of old times flavour
About her silky clothes and things:
Her hat, in mourning plumes as ever,
Her hand and fingers, all in rings.

I feel her close (a strange emotion),
And looking through the veil,  I see
The  vast of an amazing ocean,
The coast of an amazing sea.

I am informed of inmost secrets,
Somebody"s sun is now all  mine,
My  body, heart and soul, in sequence,
Have all been pierced by the wine.

The  ostrich plumes, desired and welcome,
Are gently swaying in my mind,
And  dark  blue eyes, as  deep as welkin,
Are blooming  on the distant side.

Deep in my soul I have  some riches
And I"m the one who has the key!
You"re right, you heady monstrous creature!
In vino veritas,  I see.