NOCTURNE

by: Thomas Bailey Aldrich (1836-1906)

p to her chamber window

A slight wire trellis goes,

And up this Romeo's ladder

Clambers a bold white rose.




I lounge in the ilex shadows,

I see the lady lean,

Unclasping her silken girdle,

The curtain's folds between.




She smiles on her white-rose lover,

She reaches out her hand

And helps him in at the window--

I see it where I stand!




To her scarlet lip she holds him,

And kisses him many a time--

Ah, me! it was he that won her

Because he dared to climb!

• Pauline Pavlovna - Complete text of the play by Thomas Bailey Aldrich.
• Thomas Bailey Aldrich: Bibliography - A bibliography of Aldrich's poetic, prose, and dramatic works; includes a list of critical resources.
• Purchase books by Thomas Bailey Aldrich
• Browse other love poems