Portknockie's Porter (other Verses)

(_With apologies to Porphyria's Lover_)

The train came early in to-night, / The sullen guard was soon awake, / And threw my luggage down, for spite, / To where the platform seemed a lake; / And did his best my box to break. / When sidled up a porter; straight, / He mopped the platform with a broom, / And, kneeling, made the well-filled grate / Blaze up within the waiting-room, / And so dispelled the usual gloom. / Which done, he came and took his seat / Beside me, doffed his coat, untied / His bootlaces, and let his feet / Peep coyly out on either side; / Then called me. When no voice replied, / He rolled his shirt-sleeve up, and rose, / And laid his brawny biceps bare, / And, where my eyebrows meet my nose, / He slowly shook his fist, just there, / And seized me by my yellow hair.