Last Parade

It was a lovely sunny morninf As I sat in the Colonnade. The mist was rising from the river And my mind began to fade. Then the mist began to stir, Men in scarlets began to appear. Slowly walking, they filled the ground drifting toward me without a sound. Round their legs the mist was drifting. Faces hidden, scarlets swirling Slowly they marched in line abreast Through the balustrade and over the crest. On they came without a sound, Drifting slowly over the ground. Past the figure of Charles the Second, Almost to the pillars, they stopped and beckoned. I rose, went down the steps to greet them. They smiled, their scarlets glowing red, King Charles glowing gold behind them. I joined them and knew that I was dead.