I HEARD how, to the beat of some quick tune, There rose and danced a Damsel like the moon, Flower-mouthed and Pâri-faced; and all around her Neck-stretching Lovers gathered close; but, soon A flickering lamp-flame caught her skirt, and set Fire to the flying gauze. Fear did beget Trouble in that light heart! She cried amain. Quoth one among her worshipers, "Why fret, Tulip of Love? Th' extinguished fire hath burned Only one leaf of thee; but I am turned To ashes—leaf and stalk, and flower and root— By lamp-flash of thine eyes!"—"Ah, Soul concerned "Solely with self!"—she answered, laughing low, "If thou wert Lover thou hadst not said so. Who speaks of the Belov'd's woe as not his Speaks infidelity, true Lovers know!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HEMP (A VIRGINIA LEGEND) by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET BONNYBELL: THE GRAY SPHEX by EDGAR LEE MASTERS HOMAGE TO SEXTUS PROPERTIUS: 12 by EZRA POUND HOMAGE TO SEXTUS PROPERTIUS: 4. DIFFERENCE OF OPINION WITH LYGDAMUS by EZRA POUND ASPIRATIONS OF A COUNTRY LAD by GEORGE SANTAYANA |