Puslapio vaizdai
PDF
„ePub“

1877.

Lies dark ;-then be it so.

Now, now, churl Time is flying;

Seek not, O Maid, to know

When thou and I must go.

[ocr errors]

PRIN

THE PRODIGALS.

(BALLADE: IRREGULAR.)

RINCES!—and you, most valorous, Nobles and Barons of all degrees! Hearken awhile to the prayer of us,— Beggars that come from the over-seas! Nothing we ask or of gold or fees; Harry us not with the hounds we pray;

Lo, for the surcote's hem we seize,― Give us-ah! give us-but Yesterday !"

"Dames most delicate, amorous !

Damosels blithe as the belted bees! Hearken awhile to the prayer of us,— Beggars that come from the over-seas! Nothing we ask of the things that please;

Weary are we, and worn, and gray;

Lo, for we clutch and we clasp your knees,-Give us―ah! give us-but Yesterday!"

"Damosels-Dames, be piteous!"

(But the dames rode fast by the roadway trees.) "Hear us, O Knights magnanimous !"

(But the knights pricked on in their panoplies.)

Nothing they gat or of hope or ease, But only to beat on the breast and say:— "Life we drank to the dregs and lees; Give us―ah! give us-but Yesterday!"

ENVOY.

YOUTH, take heed to the prayer of these! Many there be by the dusty way,— Many that cry to the rocks and seas "Give us-ah! give us-but Yesterday!"

1876.

ON A FAN THAT BELONGED TO THE

C

MARQUISE DE POMPADOUR.

(BALLADE.)

“HICKEN-SKIN, delicate, white,

Painted by Carlo Vanloo,

Loves in a riot of light,

Roses and vaporous blue;

Hark to the dainty frou-frou!

Picture above, if you can,

Eyes that could melt as the dew,

This was the Pompadour's fan!

See how they rise at the sight,

Thronging the Eil de Bauf through,

Courtiers as butterflies bright,

Beauties that Fragonard drew,
Talon-rouge, falbala, queue,

Cardinal, Duke,—to a man,
Eager to sigh or to sue,—
This was the Pompadour's fan!

Ah, but things more than polite
Hung on this toy, voyez-vous !

Matters of state and of might, Things that great ministers do; Things that, may be, overthrew Those in whose brains they began ; Here was the sign and the cue,— This was the Pompadour's fan!

ENVOY.

WHERE are the secrets it knew? Weavings of plot and of plan? -But where is the Pompadour, too? This was the Pompadour's Fan!

1878.

« AnkstesnisTęsti »