Federico was the man in black, abstruse were his eyes
He was a dandy highway man, a mask for his disguise
His gaze was cold and steely, trained upon the track
His mount held fast, like the night, but almost twice as black

The church bell broke the silence, a single, solitary sound
Right on cue the coach appeared, his quarry he had found
He urged his filly forward, drew his flintlock from his side
With beating heart he waited, to see what would betide

As the coach drew closer, his voice let out a boom
His pistol cocked, and gaze still locked emerging from the gloom
“Ladies and gentlemen; if thou dost wish to avert from strife”
“Thou shalt stand and deliver your money or your life!”

With this behest a portly gent bounded from his seat
So rotund, even he was stunned he landed on his feet
“You villainous half brained haggard!” he cried, reaching for his gun
But before his words had pierced the night this poor old fool was done

Federico rolled him over and rummaged for his purse
Whilst the women started whimpering and men began to curse
“Now thou wilt relinquish all thy silver and part with all thy gold”
“Or find yourselves upon the road, bodies growing cold!”

With much unrest, concern at best, most fearing for their health
The shaken party accepted fate and parted with their wealth
Federico took his ***** and climbed upon his horse
Then through the darkened avenue he began to plot his course

Across the moors and rolling downs he galloped through the mist
To find his path to safety and to keep a lovers tryst
Assured that no one saw a thing, the night and mare both sable
He approached his homestead silently and left her in the stable

On tips of toes, whilst skipping rows he glided up the stair
To see his beau, with love that’s true of which could not compare
Creeping through the chamber door, to join his sleeping bride
To dream the dreams that lover’s dream he slipped in by her side