Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO LALLIE (OUTSIDE THE BRITISH MUSEUM), by AMY LEVY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO LALLIE (OUTSIDE THE BRITISH MUSEUM), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Up those museum steps you came
Last Line: What does it matter ?
Subject(s): British Museum, London; Love; Museums; Art Gallerys


UP those Museum steps you came,
And straightway all my blood was flame,
O Lallie, Lallie !

The world (I had been feeling low)
In one short moment's space did grow
A happy valley.

There was a friend, my friend, with you ;
A meagre dame, in peacock blue
Apparelled quaintly ;

This poet-heart went pit-a-pat ;
I bowed and smiled and raised my hat ;
You nodded -- faintly.

My heart was full as full could be;
You had not got a word for me,
Not one short greeting ;

That nonchalant small nod you gave
(The tyrant's motion to the slave)
Sole mark'd our meeting.

Is it so long ? Do you forget
That first and last time that we met ?
The time was summer ;

The trees were green ; the sky was blue ;
Our host presented me to you --
A tardy comer.

You look'd demure, but when you spoke
You made a little, funny joke,
Yet half pathetic.

Your gown was grey, I recollect,
I think you patronized the sect
They call "aesthetic."

I brought you strawberries and cream,
I plied you long about a stream
With duckweed laden ;

We solemnly discussed the -- heat.
I found you shy and very sweet,
A rosebud maiden.
Ah me, to-day ! You passed inside
To where the marble gods abide :
Hermes, Apollo,

Sweet Aphrodite, Pan ; and where,
For aye reclined, a headless fair
Beats all fairs hollow.

And I, I went upon my way,
Well -- rather sadder, let us say ;
The world looked flatter.

I had been sad enough before,
A little less, a little more,
What does it matter ?





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