Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LAMENT OF THIS GOOD MOON by JULES LAFORGUE

First Line: IN THE LAP / OF THE LORD
Last Line: THERE IS DANCING IN A RING.
Subject(s): LAMENT; MOON;

@3The stars are heard:@1
In the lap
Of the Lord,
There is dancing, there is dancing,
In the lap
Of the Lord,
There is dancing in a ring.

-There now, surely, mam'zelle Moon,
Let's not be so resentful;
Join the dance, and you shall have
A necklace of gilded suns.

-Good heavens, it's very kind of you,
For a poor Cinderella;
But, the shining medallion which my sister planet gave me
Is sufficient for me.

-For shame! your Earth is a figment
Of Thought! Join the gaiety!
Surely you will turn the head
Of the most @3comme il faut@1 stars.

-Thank you, thank you, I have only my sweetheart,
As long as I hear her moaning!
-You are mistaken, it is the sigh
Of the chemistries of the universe.

-Scandalmongers, hold your tongues!
I should keep watch.
You pack of spark-trails,
Get to your night-haunts!

-Come now, you flour-powdered, rose-pure maiden!
Hey! Our Lady of drunkards,
Of pickpockets and werewolves!
You who put the old tomcats in rut!
Peek-a-boo!

@3Exeunt the stars. Silence and Moon. One hears:@1

Under the ceiling
Bottomless,
There is dancing, there is dancing,
Under the ceiling
Bottomless,
There is dancing in a ring.



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