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


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SALOME, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: To bring a smile once more to john baptist's lips
Last Line: From the parson his breviary
Alternate Author Name(s): Kostrowitzky, Wilhelm Apollina
Subject(s): Salome (1st Century A.d.)


To bring a smile once more to John Baptist's lips
Sire I would outdance the Seraphim
In your countess' finery why are you so sad
As you sit by the Prince Mother and look at him

My heart leaped up leaped up to hear him speak
That day I was dancing on the fennel ground
Lilies I worked in silken embroidery
For a streamer to bind the tip of his staff around

Now King Herod for whom will you have me sew
His staff bloomed with new flowers at Jordan River
And when your soldiers carried him away
The lilies in my garden died forever

Come down come down with me to the quincunx glade
Silly pretty King your tears are told
Instead of that gewgaw of yours take this head and dance
But do not touch the brow my mother is cold

Go before us Sire and you pikmen march behind
We'll dig in the earth and bury him and he
Shall have our flowers our dancing in a round
Until my garter drops from my dancing knee
From the king his snuffery
From the princess her rosary
From the parson his breviary





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