A Traveler's Welcome

A Traveler’s Welcome

The night was dark, the rain was cold
The fall wind blew and chilled the soul
I entered in the tavern door
And shook raindrops from cloak to floor

The barmaid had a gentle smile
She bid me in to rest a while
And warm myself there by the fire
The Inn had rooms there to retire

She brought a tray of bottled drink
The glasses and the bottle clink
With whiskey poured she smiled again
Her charm the chilly night transcend

I soon was lost within her glow
Her perfume permeated my soul
She led me to her chamber bed
And pulled back her warm feather spread

She said that she was going to change
And left the room, I thought that strange
But in anticipation wait
Abandoned caution, tempting fate

She came back in with burly men
Accusing me in front of them
Of forcing myself on to her
Making advances on one so pure

They drug me out into the cold
Beat me hard, her honor uphold
That’s bad enough but even worse
They took the fullness of my purse

And change she did that awful night
To vile vamp from angel bright
I played the fool that night it seems
Her mocking laughter still haunts my dreams



HBU