Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold By "F. Harald Williams"[i.e. F. W. O. Ward]. First Edition |
 |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
|
| IV. |
| V. |
|
|
| I. |
| II. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
DESIRABLE. |
| VIII. |
 | Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold |  |
DESIRABLE.
Dear and desirable and most admirable,
Fairest of all fair things
Without the thorn and woman-born,
Though with the angel wings!
O white and comely maiden whom tenderly I greet,
Thy mouth is honey-laden, a cup that's crimson-sweet;
Thy round cheek's perianth is like the amaranth
And touched with gentle rose,
Nor spray upon green willow had ever such a pillow
As thy serene repose.
I know thy dainty kisses which rush to scarlet blisses
Are past my earthly count,
Who boldly ventured first to slake my human thirst
At that celestial fount.
Fairest of all fair things
Without the thorn and woman-born,
Though with the angel wings!
O white and comely maiden whom tenderly I greet,
Thy mouth is honey-laden, a cup that's crimson-sweet;
Thy round cheek's perianth is like the amaranth
And touched with gentle rose,
Nor spray upon green willow had ever such a pillow
As thy serene repose.
I know thy dainty kisses which rush to scarlet blisses
Are past my earthly count,
Who boldly ventured first to slake my human thirst
At that celestial fount.
Bright and most beautiful, delicate, dutiful
In every virgin grace
Of moulded flesh, and dewy-fresh
As dawn's young opening face!
My daring lips were foremost to marry thine, and win
The charms which I adore most and deeper than red skin.
I will not deem that bloom shall ever know of doom
And fade as common flowers,
Or those long dusky lashes can pass to earth and ashes
With their shy shadowed bowers.
Let others leave no relic who lack thy gifts angelic,
If unto me not fair;
Thou never canst go by, who hauntest land and sky,
And lightest all the air.
In every virgin grace
Of moulded flesh, and dewy-fresh
As dawn's young opening face!
My daring lips were foremost to marry thine, and win
418
I will not deem that bloom shall ever know of doom
And fade as common flowers,
Or those long dusky lashes can pass to earth and ashes
With their shy shadowed bowers.
Let others leave no relic who lack thy gifts angelic,
If unto me not fair;
Thou never canst go by, who hauntest land and sky,
And lightest all the air.
| Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold | |