Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SALOME, by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE


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SALOME, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: So that john the baptist might once more seem glad
Last Line: The priest his soul-barter
Alternate Author Name(s): Kostrowitzky, Wilhelm Apollina
Subject(s): Salome (1st Century A.d.)


So that John the Baptist might once more seem glad
Sire I'd dance to the Seraphim's pride
Mother tell me why it is you are so sad
In your robe of a countess at the Dauphin's side

My heart beat beat more loudly at his word
While I danced in the fennel hearkening
And I broidered lilies for a pennon-bird
At the end of his lance for to swing

Now for whom do you want me to broider this thing
His lance buds again on the Jordan banks
And the lilies by your soldiers O Herod king
When they bore him away drooped dead in their ranks

Come all of you with me below the quincunce
Weep not pretty royal jester steady
Take this head dance with it for your motley dunce
Don't touch his brow mother dear is cold already

Sire march before your troops will follow arter
We'll dig a ditch and lay him underground
We'll plant some flowers and we'll dance a round

Till I have lost my garter
The king his sneeze-starter
The child his prayer-charter
The priest his soul-barter





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