The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
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 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
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CROSS-PURPOSES
“I would have given you love,” said I,
“Flowers of the earth and stars of the sky:
Thoughts like stars, and love like a flower,
Blossoms fit for a queen's own dower,
Gifts that a king might long to see”—
“Buy me this diamond brooch,” said she.
“Flowers of the earth and stars of the sky:
Thoughts like stars, and love like a flower,
Blossoms fit for a queen's own dower,
Gifts that a king might long to see”—
“Buy me this diamond brooch,” said she.
“Dreaming still of the earth?” said I.
“You—why I thought you came from the sky!
Thought you a fairy, deemed you a queen;
Earth for your footstep seemed too mean.
You to ask for a brooch from me—”
“Buy me that necklace then,” said she.
“You—why I thought you came from the sky!
Thought you a fairy, deemed you a queen;
Earth for your footstep seemed too mean.
You to ask for a brooch from me—”
“Buy me that necklace then,” said she.
Star-dreams flash through the poet's head:
Woman looks at the shops instead.
The lover dreams in his lady's eyes;
But the lady does not dream—she buys.
“Brighter than stars are your eyes,” thinks he—
“Eighteen and threepence, dear,” says she.
Woman looks at the shops instead.
The lover dreams in his lady's eyes;
But the lady does not dream—she buys.
“Brighter than stars are your eyes,” thinks he—
“Eighteen and threepence, dear,” says she.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |