Carroll's Road

Not ever have I seen her like in years before or since,
Not any jewel in kingly hoard outshines her countenance.
Fair she was, my Rosa, a sainted temperament and guise,
At age fourteen, her sight first seen ensnared my heart and eyes.

If only petty foolish pride did not my master be,
I may still have, by God's good grace, my Rosa here with me.

I was sixteen when her father planned we two betrothed
They came to us to dower from their farm down Carroll's road.
A path of beauty safe and sure in all the long day's light,
A fool's demise in darkness, wicked bandits ruled the night.

Were our young hearts not so arrogant, foolish, rash, and bold,
I may have lived my life content, this story never told.

Her father, having set the terms, announced intent to leave.
I begged to take her home myself, a plan I had conceived.
He warned in parting, "Raphael! You treat my daughter right,
And don't you dare be late and fare the Carroll's road this night!"

My heart too filled with ecstasy, his warning straight and clear,
Complete escaped my noticing, ignored by love-deaf ear.

Underneath the sycamore we pledged our unending love,
We shared our bodies' sacrament with thanks to Lord above.
Her flesh was sweet like sugar lumps and melted on my tongue,
We loved with all the vigor that's reserved for foolish young.

But God did not accept our youthful, lustful offering.
He must have took offense at even thinking such a thing.

When finished with our grassy couch, I rose with sudden fright,
For while we had explored our love, the day gave way to night.
My carriage parked along the side of haunted Carroll's road,
A thousand times my heart did stop, at sound of twig or toad.

If I could make the horses fly, if I had brought my pistols,
If we had not chose a day of sin among the thistles.

In haste we flew to carriage side, eager to be off,
But as I helped my love aboard, I head a quiet cough.
I turned to face the noise, I froze, and I began to shiver,
The Highwayman with pistol raised said, "stand and deliver."

I curse the foul and dirty whore that let him from her womb,
I made my mind, I'd help him find the quick way to his tomb.

"Noble sir," through tight clenched teeth, I stared him in the eye.
"You are mistaken on this night, no riches here have I.
You may search my person and strip bare my humble carriage,
My only dear possesion is prospect of our marriage."

Curse my weak and feeble tongue, and forever damn my sight
For pointing out my Rosa on this cold and heartless night.

"You are the one mistaken sir," he said with unmasked glee.
"When I pay a visit, someone always must pay me,
And as your only riches are the charms of this fair lass,
I will spare your lives tonight and we'll barter with her ass."

And oh, ungodly rage and hate did rise within my gut,
I flew across the clearing and my skull met pistol-butt.

I woke a moment later my Rosa, she was missing,
I could hear her voice off in the distance, shrill and screaming.
I ran to find the only place I knew that they could be,
For I had found it once myself, 'neath the Sycamore tree.

The deed was done when I arrived, he stood with pistol cocked,
I froze there when I saw her naked, shaking, and in shock.

"You foolish little man, he said, you had and lost your chance.
Now I am afraid that I must end this little dance."
I saw his finger move and I was sure that I'd be dead,
But Rosa leapt into his path and took the shot instead.

I ran and jumped into him crushing ribs against my knee,
I opened up his skull against the trunk of Rosa's tree.

My love I cradled in my arms long past her dying breath,
But all my tears and promises could not undo her death.
Not ever have I seen her like in the years before or since
Not any jewel in kingly hoarde outshines her countenance.

Angelic love is squandered on young hearts too filled with pride,
Our recklessness and passion was my sainted love's demise.