Ignorant two, we glide 
On ripples near the shore. 
The rainbows leap no more, 
And men in boats alight 
To see the day subside. 

All evening fins have drowned 
Back in the summer dark. 
Above us, up the bank, 
Obscure on lonely ground, 
A shack receives the night. 

I hold the lefthand oar 
Out of the wash, and guide 
The skiff away so wide 
We wander out of sight 
As soundless as before. 

We will not land to bear 
Our will upon that house, 
Nor force on any place 
Our dull offensive weight. 

Somebody may be there, 
Peering at us outside 
Across the even lake, 
Wondering why we take 
Our time and stay so late. 

Long may the lovers hide 
In viny shacks from those 
Who thrash among the trees, 
Who curse, who have no peace, 
Who pitch and moan all night 
For fear of someone's joys, 
Deploring the human face. 

From prudes and muddying fools, 
Kind Aphrodite, spare 
All hunted criminals, 
Hoboes, and whip-poor-wills, 
And girls with rumpled hair, 
All, all of whom might hide 
Within that darkening shack. 
Lovers may live, and abide. 

Wherefore, I turn my back, 
And trawl our boat away, 
Lest someone fear to call 
A girl's name till we go 
Over the lake so slow 
We hear the darkness fall.