Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE GRAND DUKE, by JAMES RYDER RANDALL Poet's Biography First Line: You gave me flowers in the crimson eves Last Line: When I am far away. Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Death; Dead, The | ||||||||
YOU gave me flowers in the crimson eves, Down by the garden gate, Where, on his throne of glad geranium leaves, The Grand Duke sat in state. You pitied himthe Grand Dukeand you sent A rare and budding bride, A lithe and fragrant Duchess, dew-besprent, Snow-bosomed and blue-eyed. Anon, the Grand Duke frowned and stood apart The cold and bashful churl! Until you bound them, darling, heart to heart, With one enamored curl. Ah me! I have the plaintive bouquet here, With all its luster fled; The lissome bride on her geranium bier, And the dear Grand Dukedead. And many sad and somber thoughts arise Within me and without; Specters of flowerets pictured on mine eyes, Robbed in a shroud of doubt. Here, in the hot June midnight, grave and lone, By the dull candle's flare, I weave unutterable words, and moan Over a woman's hair. "Only a woman's hair!" and still I sob O'er memory with her pearls, Crushing my brows with anguish till they throb Writhing my soul with curls. Nono! I must not ponder things like these; Be mine a breast of mail Though but a Nautilus of frenzied seas, Swiftsolitaryfrail. The world will know you not, my song, for you Speak but to one, and say Something I dare not, to an eye of blue, When I am far away. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND JOHN PELHAM by JAMES RYDER RANDALL |
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