A Night-Charge against a Swan by a Lover

The swan, wild-clanging, scoured the midnight lake,
And broke my dream of Annie, and I lay,
Through those brief hours before the dawn of day,
Chiding the soured that startled me awake.
Ungracious bird, why didst thou come between
My loving question and her dear reply?
I saw her parted lip, her downcast eye,
I saw how sweet her answer would have been,
Hadst thou not cried just then in love's despite!
For once, I pray, thy clamorous zeal forbear,
And grant this easy boon to me and her:
I claim my perfect dream: be mute to-night:
Thy voice kept Annie silent: I foresee
Thy silence will be Annie's voice to me.