Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE FAUN, by THEODOSIA (PICKERING) GARRISON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FAUN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The faun that haunts my fountain
Last Line: And kiss her lips with spray.
Alternate Author Name(s): Faulks, Frederick J., Mrs.
Subject(s): Deer; Mythology - Classical; Nymphs; Pan (mythology)


THE Faun that haunts my fountain
Within the garden close,
Is neighbor to the lily
And comrade of the rose,
And all about his dwelling place
The great oaks toss their blows.

The Faun that haunts my fountain --
I hear his song all day --
A melody made whimsical,
A careless note and gay,
Mocking the bird that dips and flings
His host a roundelay.

The Faun that haunts my fountain
Makes secret of what whim
Led him from woods Ionian,
Through unknown paths and dim,
To make an English garden
The chosen home of him.

The Faun that haunts my fountain --
But I alone have guessed
The reason of his coming,
The meaning of his quest:
He seeks a vanished dryad,
A nymph Pan loved the best.

O Faun within my fountain,
Last of your lovely race,
I know what makes my garden close
Your fragrant dwelling place.
* * *
I saw who leaned above your brink
One noon to see her face.

O Faun within my fountain,
I watch you day by day,
I know your pagan ecstasy
When Lydia comes your way,
What time you stretch white arms to her
And kiss her lips with spray.





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