Walking in the Rain

WALKING on a Melbourne night, walking in the rain —
    Red lights, green lights in an ebon sea —
We are back with Oberon in fairyland again —
    Car lights flashing in a whirling fantasy.
Wet stones shimmering, a merry, magic town;
White lights glimmering and dancing, dancing down;
Street bells, sweet bells ringing a refrain —
Walking on a Melbourne night, walking in the rain.

Walking on a wet night thro’ a shining town —
    Swift feet, light feet tapping to and fro —
Silver on the plane trees, silver falling down
    To a silver river where the fairy coaches go.
Soft rain pattering adown the elfin way,
Sly winds scattering the leaves of yesterday.
Who would fall to muttering at Winter’s kindly frown,
Walking on a wet night thro’ a shining town?

Walking on a Melbourne night, walking in the rain —
    Hoarse coughs, hard coughs, wheezy coughs and loud —
Oh, the dread catarrhal curse! Oh, the bronchial bane!
    Grim forms, soaked forms hasting thro’ the crowd.
Wet feet squishing with a sad and sodden tread,
Wet folk wishing they were safe at home in bed.
Ack — Ack — Ishing! Gosh! I’ve got the ’flu again!
Walkig on a Belbud dight,walkig id the raid.