Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LOVE'S MASQUERADES: LOVE, THE DECEIVER by THEOPHILE JULIUS HENRY MARZIALS

First Line: DEEP IN A DRAFTY ORCHARD JUST IN SHOOT
Last Line: "AND LIFE UNDONE;"" -- AND HERE HE WEPT AGAIN."
Subject(s): DUPLICITY; LOVE; DECEIT;

Deep in a drafty orchard just in shoot,
A-shivering as the light wind laugh'd and sped,
A soft-limb'd stripling wept and shrill'd his flute,
With daffodils bound doubly round his head,

"@3Why then so woebegone, fair friend?@1" I said,
"@3Now every man some maiden finds to suit.
"Come, learn a strain more gaily gamuted,
"And don some flower can bring forth likelier fruit.@1"

"@3Not so,@1" quoth he. @3"Love came in lady's guise,
"Crimson with sweet intent, and piled our bed;
"And when I drew her t'wards it in love's-wise,
"Love laugh'd and spann'd his flaming wings and fled.@1

"@3Deceived in Love himself, all love is vain,
"And life undone;@1" -- and here he wept again.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net