Part 16

Still through the ivy flits the bee Where Amaryllis lies in state; O Singer of Persephone!

Simætha calls on Hecate And hears the wild dogs at the gate; Dost thou remember Sicily?

Still by the light and laughing sea Poor Polypheme bemoans his fate; O Singer of Persephone!

And still in boyish rivalry Young Daphnis challenges his mate; Dost thou remember Sicily?

Slim Lacon keeps a goat for thee, For thee the jocund shepherds wait; O Singer of Persephone! Dost thou remember Sicily?

IN THE GOLD ROOM

A HARMONY

HER ivory hands on the ivory keys Strayed in a fitful fantasy, Like the silver gleam when the poplar trees Rustle their pale-leaves listlessly, Or the drifting foam of a restless sea When the waves show their teeth in the flying breeze.

Her gold hair fell on the wall of gold Like the delicate gossamer tangles spun On the burnished disk of the marigold, Or the sunflower turning to meet the sun When the gloom of the dark blue night is done, And the spear of the lily is aureoled.

And her sweet red lips on these lips of mine Burned like the ruby fire set In the swinging lamp of a crimson shrine, Or the bleeding wounds of the pomegranate, Or the heart of the lotus drenched and wet With the spilt-out blood of the rose-red wine.

BALLADE DE MARGUERITE

(NORMANDE)

I AM weary of lying within the chase When the knights are meeting in market-place.

Nay, go not thou to the red-roofed town Lest the hoofs of the war-horse tread thee down.

But I would not go where the Squires ride, I would only walk by my Lady’s side.

Alack! and alack! thou art overbold, A Forester’s son may not eat off gold.

Will she love me the less that my Father is seen Each Martinmas day in a doublet green?

Perchance she is sewing at tapestrie, Spindle and loom are not meet for thee.

Ah, if she is working the arras bright I might ravel the threads by the fire-light.

Perchance she is hunting of the deer, How could you follow o’er hill and mere?

Ah, if she is riding with the court, I might run beside her and wind the morte.

Perchance she is kneeling in St. Denys, (On her soul may our Lady have gramercy!)

Ah, if she is praying in lone chapelle, I might swing the censer and ring the bell.

Come in, my son, for you look sae pale, The father shall fill thee a stoup of ale.

But who are these knights in bright array? Is it a pageant the rich folks play?

’T is the King of England from over sea, Who has come unto visit our fair countrie.

But why does the curfew toll sae low? And why do the mourners walk a-row?

O ’t is Hugh of Amiens my sister’s son Who is lying stark, for his day is done.